- Understand the difference between saber (to know facts/skills) and conocer (to be familiar with)
- Use saber + infinitive to express knowing how to do something
- Use conocer + a with people (personal a)
- Recognise how meanings change in the preterite tense
What You'll Learn
Overview
Spanish has two verbs that both translate to "to know" in English: saber and conocer. They are not interchangeable - each has a distinct meaning depending on what type of knowledge you're talking about.
Saber
To know facts, information, and skills
Facts: Sé la respuesta.
Skills: Sé nadar.
Conocer
To know / be familiar with people, places, and things
People: Conozco a María.
Places: Conozco Madrid.
Quick Rule of Thumb
If you can replace "know" with "know how to" or follow it with a fact/clause - use saber.
If you can replace "know" with "be acquainted with" or "be familiar with" - use conocer.
Structure & Formation
Present Tense Conjugations
Both verbs are irregular in the yo form. All other forms follow regular patterns.
saber (to know facts/skills)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | séirregular |
| tú | sabes |
| él/ella/usted | sabe |
| nosotros | sabemos |
| vosotros | sabéis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | saben |
conocer (to know people/places)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | conozcoirregular |
| tú | conoces |
| él/ella/usted | conoce |
| nosotros | conocemos |
| vosotros | conocéis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | conocen |
When to Use Each Verb
Use SABER for:
- Facts and information
Sé tu número de teléfono. - Saber + infinitive = skills
Sabe cocinar muy bien. - Saber + que/si/dónde/cuándo
Sé que tienes razón. - Knowing something by heart
Sabe la canción de memoria.
Use CONOCER for:
- People (with personal a)
Conozco a tu profesor. - Places (familiarity)
Conocemos bien esta ciudad. - Things / works of art
¿Conoces esta canción? - Being familiar with a subject
Conoce bien la historia española.
Meaning Changes in the Preterite
Both verbs shift in meaning when used in the preterite tense because the completed aspect adds a new nuance:
Saber in Preterite = "found out"
Imperfect: Sabía la verdad. (I knew the truth.)
Preterite: Supe la verdad. (I found out the truth.)
Conocer in Preterite = "met (for the first time)"
Imperfect: Conocía a María. (I knew María.)
Preterite: Conocí a María. (I met María.)
Examples
Saber - Facts & Skills
fact
¿Sabes qué hora es?
Do you know what time it is?
fact
Sé dónde vive tu primo.
I know where your cousin lives.
skill
Mi hija sabe tocar el piano.
My daughter knows how to play the piano.
information
No sabemos si va a llover.
We don't know if it's going to rain.
fact
¿Sabéis cuánto cuesta?
Do you all know how much it costs?
memorised
Ella sabe la letra de todas las canciones.
She knows the lyrics to every song.
Conocer - People & Places
person
Conozco a tu jefe.
I know your boss.
place
¿Conoces Buenos Aires?
Do you know Buenos Aires?
place
Conocemos bien este barrio.
We know this neighbourhood well.
thing
No conozco esa película.
I don't know that film.
person
¿Conocéis a mi hermana?
Do you all know my sister?
familiarity
Ella conoce bien la cocina mexicana.
She knows Mexican cuisine well.
Side-by-Side Comparisons
saber - fact
Sé que Madrid es la capital.
I know Madrid is the capital.
conocer - familiarity
Conozco Madrid muy bien.
I know Madrid very well.
saber - information
Sabe mucho sobre música.
He knows a lot about music.
conocer - people
Conoce a muchos músicos.
He knows many musicians.
saber - fact
Sé su nombre.
I know his name.
conocer - person
La conozco desde hace años.
I've known her for years.
Common Mistakes
Don't Forget the Personal "a" with Conocer
When conocer refers to a person, you must use the personal "a":
✗ Conozco tu hermano.
✓ Conozco a tu hermano.
Saber + Infinitive, Not Conocer
To say "know how to" always use saber, never conocer:
✗ Conozco nadar.
✓ Sé nadar.
Knowing About vs Being Familiar With
Knowing facts about something uses saber. Being familiar with it uses conocer:
Sé mucho sobre el arte moderno. (I know a lot about modern art.)
Conozco bien el arte moderno. (I'm well familiar with modern art.)
Irregular Yo Forms
Don't forget both verbs are irregular in the yo form:
saber → yo sé (not *sabo)
conocer → yo conozco (not *cono)
Quick Test
Choose the correct verb - saber or conocer - for each sentence:
1. ¿_____ dónde está la biblioteca?
ASabes
BConoces
2. Yo _____ a tu hermana.
Asé
Bconozco
3. Ella _____ hablar tres idiomas.
Asabe
Bconoce
4. ¿_____ la ciudad de Barcelona?
ASabes
BConoces
5. No _____ cuántos años tiene.
Asé
Bconozco
6. Ayer _____ a mi nuevo vecino. (met for first time)
Asupe
Bconocí
7. _____ que el examen es el viernes.
ASé
BConozco
8. Ella _____ muy bien la obra de Picasso.
Asabe
Bconoce