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Conjugate acids and bases
In the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases an acid is defined as a proton donor and a base as a proton acceptor. The gaining and losing of protons is a rapid and reversible process. Consequently, if something is an acid and donates a proton, the substance it turns in to must be capable of accepting a proton in the reversible reaction. This means it is a base. Whenever an acid loses a proton it turns into a base, called the conjugate base of the acid.
Similarly, when a base gains a proton the substance it turns into must be capable of losing a proton in the reversible reaction. This acid is said to be the conjugate acid of the base. For example:
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