| Saber and conocer can both be translated by the English verb
to
know, but they are used in completely different situations.
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| Saber means to know a
fact or to know how to do
something. It is often followed by an infinitive or a subordinate clause.
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No sé la respuesta.
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I don't know the answer.
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| ¿Sabéis francés?
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Do you know French?
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| Sabemos cocinar. |
We know how to cook.
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In the pretérito,
saber means to learn or to
find
out:
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Supe el secreto ayer.
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I learned/found out the secret yesterday.
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Expressions with
saber |
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Present Tense Conjugations for Saber
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yo sé
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nosotros sabemos
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tu sabes
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vosotros sabéis
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él sabe
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ellos saben |
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Saber conjugations |
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Conocer means to know
someone
or to be familiar with someone, something,
or somewhere.
It can only be followed by the a direct object, never by an infinitive or a
subordinate clause. Remember that if the direct object is a person, the preposition
a must be used.
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Conozco a tu padre.
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I know your father.
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No conocen la obra de Cervantes.
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They're not familiar with Cervantes' work.
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¿Ud. conoce Barcelona?
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Are you familiar with Barcelona?
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In the pretérito, conocer
means to meet someone for the first time.
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Juan conoció su novia en Costa Rica.
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Juan met his girlfriend in Costa Rica.
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Present Tense Conjugations for Conocer
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yo conozco
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nosotros conocemos
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tu conoces
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vosotros conocéis
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él conoce
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ellos conocen
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Conocer conjugations |
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Now that you know how to know, take the test.
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Saber
vs Conocer - Spanish Verbs "To Know"