Welcome to our grammar lesson on how to choose between the verbs saber and conocer in Spanish.
These two verbs have to do with knowledge, but in different ways.
In this lesson, we will learn the cases where we use “saber” and the cases where we use “conocer”, with example sentences.
At the end you’ll find a Quiz and and Exercises for practice.
Conjugations in Present Tense
Before we explain the difference between “saber” and “conocer”, let’s review their conjugations in Present Tense:
| saber | conocer | |
|---|---|---|
| yo | sé | conozco |
| tú | sabes | conoces |
| él | sabe | conoce |
| nosotros | sabemos | conocemos |
| vosotros | sabéis | conocéis |
| ellos | saben | conocen |
“saber” vs “conocer”: their meanings
The following table shows the different meanings of “saber” and “conocer”.
We can use this as our guide to choose the right verb in sentences:
| saber: | conocer: |
|---|---|
| to know, in the sense of having an information | to know, in the sense of being familiar with someone or something |
| can, in the sense of having a skill | to meet someone for the first time |
Let’s study each verb separately, and read example sentences with their different meanings:
saber
We use saber as…:
- “to know” in the sense of having an information.
- “can” in the sense of having a skill.
Examples:
Nosotros sabemos que la Tierra es redonda.
We know the Earth is round. (We have that information).¿Vosotros sabéis qué ha pasado?
Do you guys know what happened? (Do you have that information?)Yo sé hablar español.
I can speak Spanish. (I have that skill).Tú sabes cocinar.
You can cook. (You have that skill).
conocer
We use conocer as…:
- “to know” in the sense of being familiar with someone or something.
- “to meet” someone for the first time.
Examples:
Yo conozco a María.
I know María. (I’m familiar with her)Mis padres conocen Barcelona.
My parents know Barcelona. (they are familiar with it)¿Tú me conoces?
Do you know me? (are you familiar with me?)Nosotros conocemos este libro.
We know this book. (we are familiar with it).Esta semana he conocido a una chica muy simpática.
This week I’ve met a very nice girl. (for the first time)Tú conociste a mis amigos el año pasado.
You met my friends last year. (for the first time)
Sometimes there is flexibility
Good news! There are sentences where we can use “saber” or “conocer”, and either of them is OK.
It makes sense: sometimes “having an information” is similar to “being familiar with it”.
Examples:
Yo sé la verdad.
Yo conozco la verdad.
Both sentences mean “I know the truth”.Él sabe el final de la película.
Él conoce el final de la película.
Both sentences mean “He knows the ending of the movie”.
Practice
Quiz
Take this Quiz to test your knowledge about “saber” vs “conocer” in Spanish:
Exercise 1
Complete the conjugations of “saber” and “conocer” in Present Tense with the missing forms:
| saber | conocer | |
|---|---|---|
| yo | sé | ...... (4) |
| tú | ...... (1) | conoces |
| él | sabe | ...... (5) |
| nosotros | ...... (2) | conocemos |
| vosotros | sabéis | ...... (6) |
| ellos | ...... (3) | conocen |
Solutions:
1) sabes
2) sabemos
3) saben
4) conozco
5) conoce
6) conocéis
Exercise 2
Now we are going to practice “saber” vs “conocer” in sentences.
Fill the gaps choosing between the options in brackets:
Ana ___ 1.(sabe/conoce) bailar flamenco.
Ana can dance flamenco.No ___ 2.(sé/conozco) este pueblo.
I don’t know this town.Mis amigos te ___ 3.(conocen/saben).
My friends know you.Ellos ___ 4.(saben/conocen) esquiar.
They can ski (they have that ability).Nosotros ___ 5. (sabemos/conocemos) por qué las plantas son verdes.
We know why plants are green.Todos los días ___ 6.(sé/conozco) a gente nueva.
Every day I meet new people for the first time.
Solutions:
1) sabe
2) conozco
3) conocen
4) saben
5) both are OK but “sabemos” sounds better
6) conozco