to recognize
Loading your saved state.
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.
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 know
'kennen' and 'wiedererkennen' both have to do with memory and familiarity. 'kennen' is used when you are already familiar with a person, place, thing, or experience. 'wiedererkennen' is used in a specific moment: you see, hear, or notice someone or something and realize that you know it from before. Learners may confuse the words because both point to previous experience. The difference is: 'kennen' describes the state, while 'wiedererkennen' describes recognizing something after some time or despite changes.
Im Supermarkt erkenne ich die Verkäuferin sofort wieder, obwohl sie eine Maske trägt.
In the supermarket, I recognize the sales assistant immediately, even though she is wearing a mask.
Frau Hofmann kennt den alten Garten, weil sie dort früher oft mit ihrer Kollegin war.
Ms. Hofmann knows the old garden because she used to go there often with her colleague.