to recognize
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to recognize
To identify someone or something after a certain time or despite changes because you remember him, her, or it.
Nach zwanzig Jahren habe ich meine alte Schulfreundin auf der Straße sofort wiedererkannt.
After twenty years, I immediately recognized my old school friend on the street.
to see oneself in
To notice one's own traits, behaviors, or experiences in another person or in a described situation.
In der Hauptfigur des Romans konnte ich mich oft selbst wiedererkennen.
I could often see myself in the main character of the novel.
The word consists of 'wieder' (again) and 'erkennen' (to recognize). It literally means to 'recognize again' someone or something that you remember.
Ich habe dich auf dem alten Foto sofort wiedererkannt.
I recognized you immediately in the old photo.
'Wiedererkennen' (to recognize) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'wieder' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Erkennen Sie mich auf diesem Foto wieder?
Do you recognize me in this photo?
When you find your own traits in something else, the reflexive construction 'sich in jemandem/etwas wiedererkennen' (to see oneself in someone/something) is used. The preposition 'in' requires the dative here.
Viele junge Leser erkennen sich in der Hauptfigur wieder.
Many young readers see themselves in the main character.
The preposition 'an' (+ dative) is often used to state what someone or something is identified by. Typical phrases are 'jemanden an der Stimme wiedererkennen' (to recognize someone by their voice) or 'am Gang wiedererkennen' (to recognize by their walk).
Ich habe dich sofort an deiner Lache wiedererkannt.
I recognized you immediately by your laugh.
to recognize / realize
erkennen and wiedererkennen can both mean identifying a person one knows. erkennen names this process generally and can be based on existing knowledge. wiedererkennen explicitly emphasizes remembering a previous encounter after some time has passed or despite a change.
Nach zwanzig Jahren erkannte Mia ihren früheren Nachbarn trotz seines Bartes wieder.
After twenty years, Mia recognized her former neighbor despite his beard.
Mia erkannte den Mann auf dem Foto sofort als ihren neuen Nachbarn.
Mia immediately recognized the man in the photo as her new neighbor.
