When should you use Saber vs. Conocer

Question

I know that they both mean, "to know", but in what scenarios do you use each use one?

Excellent question! - ChamacoMalo, Oct 7, 2009

Answer 1

This is very tricky. Very tricky. The way I explained it the last time it came up, and it comes up alot, is that a first year medical student sabe medicine. A guy with 20 years in medicine conoce medicine. Now you, being a child in this, would say, John is my conocidio...he is my friend. I sabe my math very good. I know my math studies very well. A guy with 20 years in math would say I conozco math. It's a suble difference in the uses of the two words. This may seem like a silly explaination, but if you read it, marinade on it a little, you'll get it.

Answer 2

Here's some more info:

The Spanish verb conocer, which comes from the same root as the English words "cognition" and "recognize," generally means "to be familiar with." You would use it in constructions such as these:

• Conozco a Pedro. I know Pedro.
  • ¿Conoces a María? Do you know María?
  • No conozco Nueva York. I don't know New York, or I haven't been to New York.
  • Conócete a ti mismo. Know yourself.

Saber, on the other hand, means "to know a fact," "to know how" or "to possess knowledge." You would use constructions such as these:

• No sé nada. I don't know anything.
  • Él no sabe nadar. He doesn't know how to swim.
  • No sé nada de Pedro. I don't have any news about Pedro.

Answer 3

Saber is to know a fact, e.g., I know how to speak Spanish.

Conocer is know a person or place (to be familiar with), e.g., I know New York City very well.

Well stated, clear and concise. - Zoltán, Oct 8, 2009

Answer 4

Saber is to know information or facts. Conocer is to know people or places.

Answer 5

¡Hola!, Person258 :

I tried to "Google" the two words "saber & conocer" slideshows.

There is an incredible number of hits and many very informative slideshows with great examples.

Hoo, hoo! The power of Google. To infinity and beyond.

Recuerdos/Regards,

Moe