connaissais

/kɔnɛsɛ/connaître
1.
verbInd3rdImperfectSing1,2

knew (was acquainted with someone or something)

was familiar with

used to know

Je ne connaissais pas ce mec avant la soirée.

I didn't know that guy before the party.

Synonyms:fréquentais, côtoyais