CONTENT
  1. Differences Between Conocer and Saber in Use
  2. Differences Between Conocer and Saber in Form

Do you know the difference between Alex sabe quien es Alejandra? and Alex conoce a Alejandra? The verbs saber and conocer both mean to know; however, they are used in different contexts.

Spanish

English

Laura sabe dónde está Guanajuato porque conoce México.

Laura knows where Guanajuato is because she knows Mexico.

Differences Between Conocer and Saber in Use

Rule 1. Saber is used to express knowledge.

Spanish

English

Andrea sabe dónde está en Medellín.

Andrea knows where Medellín is.

In this example, it is being expressed that Andrea has the information or knowledge of where Medellín is located.

Rule 2. Conocer is used to express acquaintance or familiarity.

Spanish

English

Andrea conoce Medellín.

Andrea knows Medellín.

In contrast, this example does not express that Andrea knows where the city of Medellín is located, but that she is familiar with it -- probably because she has visited it before.

Now, let's take the example of the introduction and compare the two verbs.

Spanish

English

Laura sabe dónde está Guanajuato porque conoce México.

Laura knows Guanajuato because she knows Mexico.

In other words, Laura knows where Guanajuato is located, because she has visited Mexico before. So, she is already familiar with the geography, the routes, etc.

More examples:

  • Saber

Spanish

English

Mariano sabe nadar.

Mariano knows how to swim.

This example expresses knowledge about a skill; in this case, swimming.

Spanish

English

Mis alumnos saben de informática.

My students are computer literate.

This example expresses knowledge of a specific area.

  • Conocer

Spanish

English

Mi mamá conoce a todas mis amigas.

My mom knows all my friends.

This example expresses acquaintanceship.

Spanish

English

Conozco el vino francés pero no el californiano.

I know French wine but not Californian wine.

This example expresses familiarity through implied experience rather than factual knowledge.

Differences Between Conocer and Saber in Form

Rule 4. Saber and conocer are both irregular verbs and completely different in conjugation. Let's look at a table with their conjugations in the present indicative side by side.

Subject PronounsSaberConocer
yo conozco
sabes conoces
él, ella, usted sabe conoce
nosotros, nosotras sabemos conocemos
vosotros, vosotras sabéis conocéis
ellos, ellas, ustedes saben conocen
Subject PronounsSaberConocer
yo conozco
sabes conoces
él, ella, usted sabe conoce
nosotros, nosotras sabemos conocemos
vosotros, vosotras sabéis conocéis
ellos, ellas, ustedes saben conocen

Quiz

1/3

No ____________ Ciudad de México, no he visitado México.

0

correct answers.