Ultralingua Dictionary Login
Saber vs. conocer
Forms
saber
- sé
- sabes
- sabe
- sabemos
- sabéis
- saben
conocer
- conozco
- conoces
- conoce
- conocemos
- conocéis
- conocen
Uses
Saber and conocer both mean "to know," but the two verbs are not interchangeable.
Saber has two primary uses:
- Saber + infinitive = to know how to do
(something).*
- Sé navegar. (I know how to sail.)
- ¿Sabes esquiar? (Do you know how to ski?)
* Note that "how" (como) is not expressed in this construction in Spanish.
- To express knowledge of something.
- Sabe la respuesta. (She knows the answer.)
- Saben el poema de memoria. (They know the poem by
heart.)
Conocer has one primary use:
- To express acquaintance or familiarity with a person, place, or
thing.
- Conozco al Presidente. (I know the President.)
- ¿Conoces a Nueva York? (Are you familiar with New York?)
- Sí, conocemos esa tienda. (Yes, we know that
store.)
