recognize
gb/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/ us/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
A2
English
~ 1700
felismer, elismer, értékel
VERB
A2
1
felismer
A2
Usage pattern:
to recognize [someone/something]
I recognized her from our school days.
Iskolás korunkból ismertem fel.
He was so disguised that I almost didn't recognize him.
Annyira el volt álcázva, hogy majdnem nem ismertem fel.
Do you recognize this song?
She recognized the handwriting on the envelope.
I instantly recognized the smell of fresh bread.
Learner examples
I recognize my teacher in the photo.
Felismerem a tanáromat a fényképen.
Do you recognize this man?
Felismered ezt a férfit?
She recognizes the song on the radio.
I can recognize his voice.
He recognizes the place from a movie.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'recognize' with 'realize'. 'Recognize' is about identifying something known before, while 'realize' is about becoming aware of something new.
Meaning
Identify from past knowledge
Collocations
recognize a face
|recognize someone instantly
|recognize a voice
|hard to recognize
|easily recognize
Synonyms
identify (More formal; often used in official or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
misidentify (Means to identify incorrectly; the opposite of correctly recognizing.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To know a person or thing because you saw or learned about them before.
To know who or what someone or something is because you have seen, heard, or experienced them before.
VERB
B1
2
elismer
B1
Usage pattern:
to recognize [something] as [something]
Most countries recognize the new government.
A legtöbb ország elismeri az új kormányt.
The award recognizes her contribution to science.
Ezzel a díjjal a tudományhoz való hozzájárulását ismerik el.
The treaty was recognized by both parties.
They refused to recognize his authority.
Learner examples
The country recognizes the new leader.
Az ország elismeri az új vezetőt.
My boss recognizes my hard work.
A főnököm elismeri a kemény munkámat.
The law recognizes this right.
We recognize his claim.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'admit', but 'recognize' in this sense involves formal acceptance, not personal confession.
Meaning
Accept as valid or true
Collocations
recognize a government
|recognize an achievement
|recognize as legitimate
|recognize independence
Synonyms
acknowledge (Often interchangeable, but 'acknowledge' can be less formal in some contexts.)
Antonyms
reject (Means to refuse to accept or approve something.)
Themes
politics
|law
|communication
Definition
To say or show that something is true or official.
To formally acknowledge the existence, validity, or legality of something.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to recognize [someone's] [effort/achievement]
The manager recognized her team's hard work.
A vezető elismerte a csapata kemény munkáját.
We should recognize his dedication to the project.
El kellene ismernünk a projekt iránti elkötelezettségét.
She was recognized for her volunteer service.
Learner examples
My teacher recognizes my effort.
A tanárom elismeri az igyekezetemet.
We recognize her good work.
Elismerjük a jó munkáját.
The company recognizes his skill.
Meaning
Show appreciation or praise
Collocations
recognize talent
|recognize achievement
|recognize contribution
Synonyms
commend (More formal and strongly positive praise.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not notice or acknowledge someone's effort or qualities.)
Themes
emotions
|work
|communication
Definition
To say thank you or give credit for someone's work or good qualities.
To express gratitude or give credit for someone's actions, qualities, or achievements.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recognize
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
US/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
re - cog - nize (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: recognize
- 3rd Person Singular: recognizes
- Present Participle: recognizing
- Past: recognized
Word family
Forms
recognizes
verb
recognizing
verb
recognized
verb
Core family
recognition
noun B1
recognizable
adjective B2
Related words
recognizably
adverb B2
recognise
verb A2
Negative and opposite forms
unrecognizable
adjective
unrecognized
adjective
Expressions
make someone recognize
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
fixed phrase
Cause acceptance of truth/validity
To help someone see that something is true or real.
Examples
- We need to make people recognize the danger of climate change.
- The teacher made the students recognize their own abilities.
recognize as
1/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Identify with a certain status
To say that someone or something is a particular type or has a certain quality.
Examples
- She is recognized as one of the best doctors in the city.
- This area is recognized as a national park.