Saber vs Conocer. What is the difference?

Question

What is the difference between saber and conocer?

Answer 1

Hi Neil. Welcome to the forum.

"Saber" is used for knowing facts. Example: Sabes la verdad (You know the truth.)

"Conocer" is used for being familiar with people and places. Example: ¿Conoces a Maria? (Do you know Maria?)

"Conocer" is also used to say "meet" for the first time. Example: Conocí tu amiga ayer. (I met your friend yesterday).

Answer 2

On a very basic level:

Saber - to know facts or how to do something

Conocer - to know in the sense of to be familiar with someone or something

Sé donde está el restaurante. I know where the restaurant is. (I know its location. a fact)

Conozco el restaurante. I am familiar with the restaurante. I have been there and tried the food.

Sé cocinar tamales. I know how to cook tamales.

Welcome to the forum.

Answer 3

I am not sure of saber but conocer is to know a person/place. Remember to use a personal for people though, like when you want to say "I know Juan", you want it to be "Conozco a Juan".

Here are the conjugations:

Yo-Conozco

Tú-conoces

Usted/él/ella-conoce

Nosotros-conocemos

Vosotros-conocéis

Ustedes/ellos/ellas-conocen