How do I choose between conocer and encontrar?

Use conocer (conocí, conociste, etc.) when you met someone for the first time. Use encontrarse con (me encontré con) when you bumped into or ran into someone you already know. The distinction revolves around whether the meeting was a first introduction or a repeat encounter.

Can I use conocer in the imperfect tense?

When conocer appears in the imperfect (conocía), it means 'I knew' or 'I was acquainted with' rather than 'I met.' The shift from preterite to imperfect changes the meaning entirely—a classic example of how Spanish tenses alter verb semantics.

How do I say 'Nice to meet you' in Spanish?

The standard expressions are Mucho gusto, Encantado/Encantada, or Es un placer conocerte. All three work in both formal and casual settings, though Es un placer conocerle adds an extra layer of formality.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

MET in Spanish: CONOCÍ

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Conocí · verb · koh-noh-SEE

The English word 'met' packs multiple meanings into three letters, and Spanish unpacks them into distinct verbs. Conocí (from conocer) handles the first-time introduction—'I met her at a party.' For running into someone you already know, encontré or me encontré con takes over. And for formal meetings or appointments, reunirse is the verb of choice. Sorting out which Spanish verb matches each shade of 'met' is a pivotal step for intermediate learners.

koh-noh-SEE

Conocí a mi mejor amiga en la universidad.

I met my best friend in college.

Met in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for met, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
conocí	met	koh-noh-SEE	Default, widely understood
me encontré con	met		ran into someone
me reuní con	met		had a meeting

How Native Speakers Use Conocí

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

First Introduction

Conocí a tu hermano ayer en la fiesta.

I met your brother yesterday at the party.

Conocer in the preterite indicates meeting someone for the first time.

Running Into Someone

Me encontré con María en el supermercado.

I met (ran into) María at the supermarket.

Encontrarse con implies an unplanned encounter with someone you already know.

Formal Meeting

Nos reunimos con el cliente para discutir el contrato.

We met with the client to discuss the contract.

Reunirse con is used for scheduled, professional meetings.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Conocí

Using conocer for a scheduled meeting

Incorrect: Conocí con el jefe a las tres.

Correct: Me reuní con el jefe a las tres.

Conocer implies a first-time encounter. For a planned meeting, reunirse con is the appropriate verb.

Forgetting the personal 'a'

Incorrect: Conocí mi esposa en 2015.

Correct: Conocí a mi esposa en 2015.

In Spanish, when the direct object of conocer is a person, you must include the personal 'a' before them.

Lock in Met Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Conocí used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using conocí in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Conocí a mi mejor amiga en la universidad. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Met in Spanish

How do I choose between conocer and encontrar?: Use conocer (conocí, conociste, etc.) when you met someone for the first time. Use encontrarse con (me encontré con) when you bumped into or ran into someone you already know. The distinction revolves around whether the meeting was a first introduction or a repeat encounter.
Can I use conocer in the imperfect tense?: When conocer appears in the imperfect (conocía), it means 'I knew' or 'I was acquainted with' rather than 'I met.' The shift from preterite to imperfect changes the meaning entirely—a classic example of how Spanish tenses alter verb semantics.
How do I say 'Nice to meet you' in Spanish?: The standard expressions are Mucho gusto, Encantado/Encantada, or Es un placer conocerte. All three work in both formal and casual settings, though Es un placer conocerle adds an extra layer of formality.