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German frequency list

No. 2,747 in German

kannten

"Kannten" is the past tense form of "kennen," meaning "knew" (to be familiar with someone or something).

In a sentence

  • Wir kannten die Antwort nicht.

    We did not know the answer.

    Here, 'kannten' is the preterite (simple past) form of 'kennen' used to indicate knowledge or acquaintanceship in the past.

  • Sie sagten, dass sie die Stadt gut kannten.

    They said that they knew the city well.

    In this case, 'kannten' is used to express familiarity with the city in past events.

  • Er wusste nicht, dass wir ihn schon kannten.

    He did not know that we already knew him.

    Here, 'kannten' describes the state of recognizing or being acquainted with someone in a past situation.

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