recognise
gb/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/ us/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
A2
English
~ 1100
felismer, ráismer, elismer, belát
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to recognise [someone/something]
I recognised her from the party last year.
Felismertem őt a tavalyi partiról.
He recognised the song as soon as it started playing.
Amint megszólalt, felismerte a dalt.
Do you recognise this handwriting?
She didn’t recognise him without his glasses.
Learner examples
I recognise my teacher in the photo.
Felismerem a tanáromat a fényképen.
Do you recognise this man?
Felismered ezt a férfit?
She recognises the music on the radio.
He does not recognise the place.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'recognise' with 'realise'. 'Recognise' means to identify from memory; 'realise' means to become aware of something.
Meaning
Identify from previous knowledge
Collocations
recognise a face
|recognise a voice
|recognise someone instantly
|easily recognise
Synonyms
identify (More formal and can be used in technical contexts, but similar in meaning when confirming who or what something is.)
Antonyms
misidentify (Means to identify incorrectly; the opposite of recognising accurately.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To know a person or thing because you saw or heard them before.
To know who or what someone or something is because you have seen, heard, or experienced them before.
VERB
B2
2
elismer
B2
Usage pattern:
to recognise [something] as [something]
The country refused to recognise the new regime.
Az ország nem volt hajlandó elismerni az új rezsimet.
Her qualifications are recognised worldwide.
A képesítéseit világszerte elismerik.
We must recognise the importance of early education.
Learner examples
The school recognises his diploma.
Az iskola elismeri a diplomáját.
Many countries recognise the new law.
Sok ország elismeri az új törvényt.
I recognise that this is a problem.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with personal identification; here it refers to formal acceptance, not visual recognition.
Meaning
Acknowledge as valid or true
Collocations
recognise a government
|recognise a qualification
|recognise rights
Synonyms
acknowledge (Very close in meaning; often interchangeable in formal contexts, but 'acknowledge' can also mean simply admitting something without formal acceptance.)
Antonyms
reject (Means to refuse to accept something as true or valid.)
Themes
law
|politics
Definition
To say or show that something is true or accepted.
To officially accept, approve, or acknowledge something as valid, legal, or true.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to recognise that [clause]
We must recognise that mistakes were made.
El kell ismernünk, hogy hibák történtek.
He recognised his own limitations.
Elismerte a saját korlátait.
They recognised the need for urgent action.
Learner examples
I recognise that I was wrong.
Elismerem, hogy tévedtem.
She recognises the danger.
Felismeri a veszélyt.
We recognise the need for help.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'realise' instead of 'recognise' here; 'realise' focuses on becoming aware, while 'recognise' focuses on admitting truth.
Meaning
Admit something is true
Collocations
recognise a problem
|recognise the need for change
Synonyms
accept (Slightly broader; can mean agreeing to take something, not just admitting truth.)
Antonyms
deny (Means to refuse to accept that something is true.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To agree that something is true or important.
To accept or admit that something exists, is true, or is important.
VERB
B1
4
elismer
B1
Usage pattern:
to recognise [someone's] [work/effort/contribution]
The company recognised her years of service with an award.
A cég díjjal ismerte el a sokéves munkáját.
We should recognise his contribution to the project.
El kellene ismernünk a projekthez való hozzájárulását.
Teachers were recognised for their dedication.
Learner examples
The boss recognised her good work.
A főnök elismerte a jó munkáját.
They recognised his help in the meeting.
A megbeszélésen elismerték a segítségét.
We recognised her big effort.
Meaning
Show appreciation for achievement
Collocations
recognise hard work
|recognise achievement
Synonyms
honour ('Honour' is more formal and ceremonial; 'recognise' can be used in everyday contexts.)
Antonyms
overlook (Means to fail to notice or acknowledge someone's efforts.)
Themes
work
|social
|relationships
Definition
To thank or praise someone for what they did.
To show respect or gratitude for someone's achievements, efforts, or contributions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recognise
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
US/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
re - cog - nise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: recognise
- 3rd Person Singular: recognises
- Present Participle: recognising
- Past: recognised
Word family
Forms
recognises
verb
recognising
verb
recognised
verb
Core family
recognition
noun B1
recognisable
adjective B2
Related words
recognize
verb A2
Negative and opposite forms
unrecognisable
adjective
Expressions
be recognised for
1/bˈi ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪzd fɚ/
fixed phrase
Receive acknowledgement for reason
To get thanks or praise for something you did well.
Examples
- She was recognised for her outstanding research.
- They were recognised for their bravery.
recognise as
1/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Accept in a specific role/category
To say someone or something is in a certain role or group.
Examples
- He was recognised as the best player of the season.
- The qualification is recognised as equivalent to a degree.
recognise the fact that
1/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz ðə fˈækt ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
Admit a fact is true
To say that a certain thing is true.
Examples
- We must recognise the fact that resources are limited.
- She recognises the fact that change takes time.