«saber» y «conocer»
«saber» y «conocer» means “Two verbs for 'to know': saber = facts/skills, conocer = people/places”. Spanish splits 'know' in two. Formation: saber (sé, sabes…) = datos / habilidades · conocer (conozco, conoces…) = personas / lugares
Two verbs for 'to know': saber = facts/skills, conocer = people/places
A2Formation
saber (sé, sabes…) = datos / habilidades · conocer (conozco, conoces…) = personas / lugares
Explanation
Spanish splits 'know' in two. Saber (sé, sabes, sabe…) is for facts and for know-how: Sé la respuesta, Sé nadar. Conocer (conozco, conoces, conoce…) is for being acquainted with people, places or things: Conozco a María, Conozco Madrid. Note the personal a before people with conocer, and the irregular yo forms sé and conozco.
Examples
Note
saber + infinitive = 'to know how to': Sabe cocinar. conocer never takes an infinitive.
FAQ
«saber» y «conocer» — what does it mean and how is it used?
Two verbs for 'to know': saber = facts/skills, conocer = people/places. Spanish splits 'know' in two. Saber (sé, sabes, sabe…) is for facts and for know-how: Sé la respuesta, Sé nadar. Conocer (conozco, conoces, conoce…) is for being acquainted with people, places or things: Conozco a María, Conozco Madrid. Note the personal a before people with conocer, and the irregular yo forms sé and conozco.
«saber» y «conocer» — how do you form it?
saber (sé, sabes…) = datos / habilidades · conocer (conozco, conoces…) = personas / lugares
«saber» y «conocer» — any usage notes?
saber + infinitive = 'to know how to': Sabe cocinar. conocer never takes an infinitive.