Saber y conocer

What do both verbs mean?

to know **
** like ser & estar, saber & conocer have specific uses

Uses
Saber to know . . . 1. . . . facts, info about something 2. . . . how to do something Conocer to know . . . 1. . . . a person 2. . . . a noun (be acquainted with/ familiar with) 3. to meet a person

saber
s
I know

sabemos
We know

sabes
You know

sabis
You all know

sabe
He, she, you know

saben
They, you all know

To know . . .
. . . information, facts about something 1. l sabe mucho de la historia del mundo.
He knows a lot about world history.

2. Sabes dnde est el restaurante.

You know where the restaurant is.

To know . . .
. . . how to do something. Saber + INF 1. Saben hablar espaol
They know how to speak Spanish.

2. Sabemos jugar al ftbol.

We know how to play soccer.

Conocer
conozco
I know

conocemos
We know

conoces
You know

conocis
You all know

conoce
He, she, you know

conocen
They, you all know

To know . . .
. . . a person. 1. Kiko conoce a ustedes.**
Kiko knows you all. ** personal a must be used here. Why? Personal a is used when a person(s) is the DO of a sentence!

To know . . .
. . . NOUNS (i.e., to be acquainted with or be familiar with something). 1. Conozco Madrid
I am familiar with Madrid.

2. Conoces el restaurante.
You are familiar with the restaurant.

3. Conocen la literatura espaola.

They are familiar with Spanish literature.

To meet a person
1. Conoc a Jos. **
I met Jos.

2. Conociste al profesor. **
You met the professor.

** personal a must be used here.

The previous examples imply only that youve been introduced to the object. It does not imply that you know much, if anything, about it.

What is the difference between the 2 sets of sentences given?

1. l sabe el nombre del restaurante Conoce el restaurante. 2. Sabemos mucho de la literatura espaola. Conocemos la literatura espaola.

In both cases, the 1st sentence implies that the subject knows information about the restaurant or Spanish literature. The 2nd sentence simply implies that the subject has been introduced or knows about the restaurant and Spanish literature only. The subject is not necessarily able to give you much information about them.

Would you use saber or conocer?

Do you know where the dog is?
saber information

Who knows Pepe?

conocer Knowing people

Are you familiar with Chicago?

conocer Acquainted with/ familiar with something

Ronaldo knows how to shoot animals.

saber Know how to do something

Translate to Spanish
Do you know where the dog is?
Sabes dnde est el perro?

Who knows Pepe?

Quin conoce a Pepe?

Are you familiar with Chicago?

Conoces Chicago?

Ronaldo knows how to cook.

Ronaldo sabe cocinar.