desconocido

unknown

adjective noun dehs-koh-noh-SEE-doh Less Common

Also means

stranger

Usage Note

Desconocido functions as both adjective ('unknown origin') and noun ('a stranger approached me'). As a noun the feminine is desconocida. It is stronger than poco conocido (little known) and implies total unfamiliarity rather than mere obscurity.

Examples

"El autor de esa carta es desconocido."

Natural Translation

The author of that letter is unknown.

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