desconocer (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Verb

Phonetic Transcription

• /des.ko.'neɾ/

Translation Options into English

• To be unaware of
• To ignore
• To disown
• To deny

Meaning and Usage

"Desconocer" is a transitive verb in Spanish that generally means to be unaware of something or to ignore it. In legal contexts, it can refer to denying the existence or acknowledgment of certain laws, facts, or responsibilities. The frequency of use for "desconocer" is moderate, appearing in both spoken and written contexts, but it might be more prevalent in written texts, particularly legal documents, formal communications, and academic references.

Example Sentences

1. No puedo desconocer la importancia de este contrato.
   I cannot ignore the importance of this contract.

2. El testigo decidió desconocer su declaración anterior en el juicio.
   The witness decided to disown his previous statement in the trial.

3. Muchas personas tienden a desconocer los derechos que les asisten.
   Many people tend to be unaware of the rights that are granted to them.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Desconocer" is commonly used in various idiomatic expressions, particularly in formal and legal contexts. Here are some examples:

1. Desconocer la ley
   To be unaware of the law
   No se puede alegar ignorancia para desconocer la ley.
   One cannot plead ignorance to be unaware of the law.

2. Desconocer un hecho
   To deny a fact
   El acusado intentó desconocer un hecho crucial durante el interrogatorio.
   The accused tried to deny a crucial fact during the interrogation.

3. Desconocer la existencia
   To be unaware of the existence
   Muchos ciudadanos desconocen la existencia de la nueva normativa ambiental.
   Many citizens are unaware of the existence of the new environmental regulation.

4. Desconocer la responsabilidad
   To deny responsibility
   La empresa intentó desconocer la responsabilidad por el accidente.
   The company tried to deny responsibility for the accident.

5. Desconocer un documento
   To disown a document
   Él decidió desconocer el documento presentado como prueba.
   He decided to disown the document presented as evidence.

Etymology

The word "desconocer" comes from the combination of the prefix "des-" (which indicates negation or removal) and the root "conocer," which means "to know." Therefore, "desconocer" literally means "to not know" or "to negate knowing."

Synonyms

• Ignorar (to ignore)
• Desatender (to neglect)
• No reconocer (to not recognize)

Antonyms

• Conocer (to know)
• Reconocer (to recognize)
• Aceptar (to accept)