spoznati

1. formal to realize; to comprehend
   Tek kasnije je spoznao pravu istinu. — Only later did he realize the real truth.
   Spoznala je koliko joj porodica znači. — She realized how much her family meant to her.
2. formal to come to know; to experience
   U detinjstvu je spoznao šta je siromaštvo. — As a child he came to know what poverty is.

In everyday speech shvatiti or saznati is more usual.