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"Conocer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to know", and "ver" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to see". Learn more about the difference between "conocer" and "ver" below.
conocer(
koh
-
noh
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sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to be familiar with
Estuve una vez en Cuzco pero no lo conozco bien.I’ve been to Cuzco once, but I'm not very familiar with it.
a. to get to know (a person or a place)
Conociéndolo mejor, veo que es buena persona.Getting to know him better, I can see he's a good person.
Cuando llegamos a Madrid, salimos a caminar para conocer la ciudad.When we got to Madrid, we went out to walk around and get to know the city.
b. to familiarize oneself with
Tómate algún tiempo para conocer las nuevas reglas.Take some time to familiarize yourself with the new rules.
a. to visit
Siempre me hablas de tu ciudad natal pero ¿cuando la voy a conocer?You always talk to me about your hometown, but when do I get to visit it?
b. to go to
Quiero conocer el sudeste asiático este verano.I want to go to Southeast Asia this summer.
c. to see
Ellos conocieron toda Europa durante su luna de miel.They saw all of Europe during their honeymoon.
d. no direct translation (in present perfect)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Conoces Londres?Have you ever been to London?
No conozco Nueva Zelanda, pero me encantaría ir.I've never been to New Zealand, but I'd love to go.
8. (literary) (to have sexual relations with)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. to know (old-fashioned)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
Lázaro aún no había conocido hembra.Lazarus had yet to know a woman.
9. (to master)
a. to know
¡No te preocupes! Ella conoce este tema como la palma de su mano.Don't worry! She knows this topic like the back of her hand.
b. to speak (languages)
Ella conoce el francés y el alemán porque se crió en Suiza.She speaks French and German because she was raised in Switzerland.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
11. (to appear)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to try
El juez que conoce del caso podría ser recusado por una de las partes.The judge who tried the case may be recused by either party.
a. to know about
Él conoce de esa industria porque su papá fue ingeniero.He knows about that industry because his dad was an engineer.
conocerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to know each other
Es una pena que no nos llegamos a conocer mejor.It's a shame we didn't get to know each other better.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
18. (to be known)
ver(
behr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to observe)
a. to watch
Se sentaron en el sofá a ver su programa de televisión favorito.They sat on the sofa to watch their favorite television program.
b. to look at
Me gusta ir a ver los cuadros en el museo.I like to go look at paintings in the museum.
c. to see
He leído el libro, pero no he visto la película. ¿Es buena?I've read the book but haven't seen the movie. Is it any good?
3. (to notice)
a. to see
¿Tú ves la diferencia entre esta camisa y la azul?Do you see the difference between this shirt and the blue one?
4. (to verify)
a. to see
Este campo vio la muerte de muchos durante la guerra.This field saw the death of many during the war.
b. to witness
Esta ciudad ha visto tiempos buenos y malos.This city has witnessed good times and bad.
c. to live through
Mi abuelo ha visto cuatro guerras y sigue siendo optimista.My grandfather has lived through four wars, and he's still an optimist.
8. (to picture)
b. to imagine
Todavía los puedo ver como si fuera ayer.I can still imagine you guys like it was yesterday.
9. (to meet)
10. (legal)
11. (to study)
a. to look at
El semestre que viene veremos el impacto de las empresas sobre el medioambiente.Next semester we will look at the impact of companies on the environment.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
13. (to observe)
a. to watch
Mamá, ¡ve! Puedo manejar el carro yo solito.Mom, watch! I can drive the car all by myself.
14. (to verify)
15. (to consider)
16. (to comprehend)
a. to see
¿Ya ves? - No, no veo. Explícame de nuevo la situación.You see? - No, I don't see. Explain the situation to me again.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
18. (appearance)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ese actor no es de mal ver, pero a mí no me gusta.That actor isn't bad-looking, but I don't find him attractive.
¿Cómo es tu prima? - Es inteligente, trabajadora, y además tiene buen ver.What's your cousin like? - She's smart, hardworking, and she's also good-looking.
verse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to see oneself
Me quiero ver en el espejo a ver cómo me queda el corte de pelo.I want to see myself in the mirror to see how my haircut looks.
a. to see oneself
No me veo trabajando aquí de por vida.I don't see myself working here for the rest of my life.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
