Saber vs conocer
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
(conocer) a tu madre desde que éramos vecinos.
I've known your mother since we were neighbors.
The rule
In English you “know” a fact, and you also “know” a person. Spanish uses two different verbs for those two things. “Sé la respuesta” means “I know the answer”. “Conozco a Ana” means “I know Ana”. “Sé a Ana” sounds wrong to a Spanish speaker. This lesson shows which verb goes with what.
Facts and skills: “saber”
Use “saber” for information you have in your head: a fact, an answer, a time, a name. “¿Sabes dónde está el banco?” means “Do you know where the bank is?”. “No sé su nombre” means “I don't know his name”.
“Saber” also covers skills. Follow it with the verb as it appears in a dictionary, ending in “‑ar”, “‑er” or “‑ir”: “Sé nadar” means “I can swim”. There is no “cómo” in between.
The “yo” form is “sé”, with an accent. The other present forms follow the usual endings: “sabes, sabe, sabemos, sabéis, saben”.
People and places: “conocer”
Use “conocer” for people, places and things you have met or been to. “Conozco Madrid” means “I know Madrid”, because you have been there. “¿Conoces a mi hermano?” means “Do you know my brother?”.
When the person you know is named after the verb, “a” goes in front: “Conozco a Ana”. Spanish does this before a person after many verbs, and a later lesson is about it.
The “yo” form is “conozco”, with a “z”. The other present forms follow the usual endings: “conoces, conoce, conocemos, conocéis, conocen”.
The same noun, two meanings
Some nouns can go with either verb, and the verb changes the meaning. “Sé la canción” means “I know the song” and I can sing it. “Conozco la canción” means “I know the song” and I have heard it before. “Sabe el camino” means “He knows the way” and can tell you the turns. “Conoce el camino” means “He knows the way” and has walked it.
A quick test: if you could say it or write it down, use “saber”. If you have met it or been there, use “conocer”.
Examples
- Sé la respuesta.I know the answer.
- ¿Sabes a qué hora empieza?Do you know what time it starts?
- Sé nadar.I can swim.
- Conozco a tu madre.I know your mother.
- ¿Conoces Barcelona?Do you know Barcelona?
- No conozco este restaurante.I don't know this restaurant.
- Sabe el camino.He knows the way and can tell you the turns.
- Conoce el camino.He knows the way and has walked it.
Watch out
- Sé a Ana. Conozco a Ana.For a person, use “conocer”.
- Conozco la respuesta. Sé la respuesta.For a fact or an answer, use “saber”.
- Sé cómo nadar. Sé nadar.For a skill, “saber” goes straight to the verb, with no “cómo”.
- Conozco que viene mañana. Sé que viene mañana.Before “que” and a fact, use “saber”.
- Yo sabo la hora. Yo sé la hora.The “yo” form of “saber” is “sé”.
What to take into practice
A fact, an answer or a skill: “saber”. A person, a place or something you have met: “conocer”, with “a” before a person. The “yo” forms are “sé” and “conozco”.