desconocido
Not known or familiar; unidentified.
Desconocido describes anything that lacks prior familiarity or identified information.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to something or someone not previously known or recognized.
- Functions as both an adjective and a noun in Spanish.
- Commonly used to describe unfamiliar places, people, or hidden causes.
Summary
Desconocido describes anything that lacks prior familiarity or identified information.
- Refers to something or someone not previously known or recognized.
- Functions as both an adjective and a noun in Spanish.
- Commonly used to describe unfamiliar places, people, or hidden causes.
Use with the verb ser or estar
Use 'ser' for permanent states, like 'Es un territorio desconocido'. Use 'estar' for temporary states of being unfamiliar with something.
Don't confuse with anonymous
An anonymous person might be known but hides their identity. A 'desconocido' is someone you have never met before.
Safety advice for children
In Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase 'no hablar con desconocidos' is the standard way to teach children about stranger danger.
Examples
4 of 4Me llamó un número desconocido.
An unknown number called me.
La causa del incendio sigue siendo desconocida.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
No me gusta hablar con desconocidos.
I don't like talking to strangers.
Exploraron territorios desconocidos en la selva.
They explored unknown territories in the jungle.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'des-' prefix as a 'delete' button on your knowledge. If you have deleted or never had the knowledge of someone, they are 'des-conocido'.
Overview
La palabra 'desconocido' proviene del participio del verbo 'conocer' precedido por el prefijo de negación 'des-'. Es una palabra fundamental en el español cotidiano para expresar falta de información o familiaridad. 2) Usage Patterns: Como adjetivo, concuerda en género y número con el sustantivo al que califica (desconocido, desconocida, desconocidos, desconocidas). Puede funcionar como adjetivo puro o como sustantivo cuando se refiere a una persona cuya identidad ignoramos ('un desconocido me saludó'). 3) Common Contexts: Se emplea en contextos de seguridad (no hablar con desconocidos), exploración (territorios desconocidos), o incluso en situaciones abstractas (causas desconocidas de una enfermedad). Es muy común en noticias, literatura de misterio y conversaciones diarias sobre personas nuevas. 4) Similar Words comparison: A diferencia de 'extraño', que puede implicar algo raro o peculiar, 'desconocido' se centra puramente en la falta de conocimiento previo. Mientras que 'anónimo' implica que se oculta el nombre deliberadamente, 'desconocido' simplemente significa que no tenemos esa información en el momento.
Usage Notes
Desconocido is a neutral term used across all registers of Spanish. It is highly versatile, acting as both an adjective and a noun. Be careful with gender agreement, as it must match the noun it modifies.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 'desconocido' to mean 'weird' (extraño). Another is failing to match the gender, such as saying 'una persona desconocido' instead of 'una persona desconocida'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'des-' prefix as a 'delete' button on your knowledge. If you have deleted or never had the knowledge of someone, they are 'des-conocido'.
Word Origin
The word comes from the Latin 'cognoscere' (to know). The prefix 'des-' indicates negation, literally meaning 'not known'.
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'desconocido' is often used in social settings to define boundaries. It is a polite way to distance oneself from someone you haven't been introduced to yet.
Examples
Me llamó un número desconocido.
everydayAn unknown number called me.
La causa del incendio sigue siendo desconocida.
formalThe cause of the fire remains unknown.
No me gusta hablar con desconocidos.
informalI don't like talking to strangers.
Exploraron territorios desconocidos en la selva.
academicThey explored unknown territories in the jungle.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
un completo desconocido
a complete stranger
causas desconocidas
unknown causes
territorio desconocido
uncharted territory
Often Confused With
Extraño can mean 'weird' or 'peculiar' in addition to 'strange/unknown'. Desconocido strictly refers to a lack of prior knowledge.
Anónimo refers to someone whose identity is hidden or withheld on purpose. Desconocido means you simply do not know who they are.
Grammar Patterns
Use with the verb ser or estar
Use 'ser' for permanent states, like 'Es un territorio desconocido'. Use 'estar' for temporary states of being unfamiliar with something.
Don't confuse with anonymous
An anonymous person might be known but hides their identity. A 'desconocido' is someone you have never met before.
Safety advice for children
In Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase 'no hablar con desconocidos' is the standard way to teach children about stranger danger.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma correcta.
Caminaba por un lugar totalmente ___ para mí.
El sustantivo 'lugar' es masculino singular, por lo tanto el adjetivo debe ser 'desconocido'.
Elige la opción que mejor define la palabra.
¿Qué significa ser un desconocido?
La definición de desconocido implica falta de familiaridad o conocimiento previo.
Ordena la frase correctamente.
ese / es / un / hombre / desconocido
Sigue la estructura básica de sujeto + verbo + predicado.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsSí, se usa frecuentemente como sustantivo. Por ejemplo, decir 'no hables con desconocidos' es una advertencia común dirigida a los niños.
Aunque a veces se usan como sinónimos, 'extraño' puede significar raro o peculiar, mientras que 'desconocido' solo indica falta de conocimiento.
Es un adjetivo variable. Se usa 'desconocida' para el femenino singular y 'desconocidos' o 'desconocidas' para el plural.
Es una palabra de registro neutro. Se utiliza tanto en el habla cotidiana como en textos académicos o periodísticos.
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More general words
abajo
A1Down, downstairs, below.
abandonar
B1To leave a place or person, often permanently.
abierta
A1Open (female); not closed or restricted.
abierto
A1Open.
abierto/a
A2Not closed or sealed; open.
Abrir
A1To open
absolutamente
A2Completely, totally, or without qualification.
abstención
B2Abstention, the act of refraining from voting or participation.
abstenerse
B2To abstain, refrain, or hold oneself back from doing something.
Abundancia
B2A large quantity or ample supply of something; plentifulness.
