How do you know when to use conocer and when to use saber?
i know they both mean to know and that Saber means to know facts and Conocer means to be familiar with but are helpful ways to remember when to use both.
6 Answers
A google search will get you this link.
It's a good explanation.
Conocer: to be aquainted with
Saber: to know
Welcome to the forum. I usually think of saber as meaning to know facts, while conocer means to know people and places. That's not entirely true, but it covers a lot of the cases.
Indicative Mood
Present Tense
conozco conoces conoce conocemos conocéis conocen
Conocer – When translating as know, we use conocer with 1) people and pets, 2) places, and 3) to be familiar with. Whenever we use this verb with people, we’ll have a personal “a”
Yo conozco a la chica. I know the girl.
Yo conozco al chico. I know the boy. (The rule of personal a, if I have an a + el = al).
(Courtesy of Señor Jordan)
Saber is used to express knowledge when talking about objects or non-living things (Yo se matematicas), . And before verbs in general (Yo se nadar, Yo se jugar Futbol...)
Conocer is used to express knowledge on living things For example (Yo conozco a Marie) (Yo conozco a ese perro)... And is also commonly used to express knowledge in abstract concepts (Yo conozco la vida), (Yo no conozco la muerte) You'll get the hang of it.
The way that I distinguish the two in my mind is that saber refers to facts so it's something that I know. Conocer I think of more like recognize as it applies to people and places. When you see someone that you know, you recognize them and same with places; if you are familiar with a place you recognize it. That's what works for me and I hope it helps you.
Ciao!
saber is know as in facts and conocer is to know the pople places or bands and stuff like that. Hope that helps
