Conocer or something else

Question

Hi all,

OK, though I get the basic uses of Saber vs Conocer fairly readily (same distinction is made in German, so I was used to it already) I ran into a situation where I wasn't sure what to say this weekend.

So, if you know OF a person, i.e their name, or maybe job, or just someone you've seen around (or perhaps speaking of a celebrity), but don't really know them beyond just being aware of their existence, how do you express that?

In English, it we might say something like. Yes I know who you're talking about, but I don't really know her. Or: Yes, I know who Jim is, but don't really know him. Or: Yes, I know who that is, but don't really know them.

Any help appreciated. Thanks Roger

Answer 1

Sé de quién hablas / Sé a quien te refieres, pero no somos muy cercanos.

Answer 2

He encontrado a Juan, pero no le conozco.

I've met him but I don't know him..

He oído hablar de él.- I've heard of him.

More answers will come, these are only my thoughts, for starters, I have to go out now, before it gets dark. - annierats, Dec 10, 2012

Thanks Annie - rogspax, Dec 10, 2012

De nada. Buena pregunta. - annierats, Dec 11, 2012

Answer 3

I will addd:

Su cara me parece familiar/conocida, posiblemente sea una estrella de telenovelas.

Her face seems familiar to me , maybe she is a television starlet.

Cae, does this work? - annierats, Dec 10, 2012

Y sí, sí serviría para los propósitos de Roger, aunque depende de la persona de la que estén hablando él y su amigo. =) - -cae-, Dec 11, 2012

Jaja. Sí, tiene sentido. Aunque yo omitiría "las" antes de telenovelas, basta con decir "estrella de telenovelas". - -cae-, Dec 11, 2012

Gracias Cae. - annierats, Dec 11, 2012

Answer 4

It's like caefuego said. When you are talking about knowing facts or information about somebody but you have never really met them, the expression "saber de" is appropriate.

Answer 5

Knowing in a general sense is best expressed by conocer. Saber expresses a much or personal relationship

Al revés - pescador1, Dec 10, 2012

Gratias! - gohern, Dec 10, 2012

Answer 6

Sí, lo conozco y sé lo que es en realidad.

This phrase has negative connotations. By saying it you are implying that he is not a good person.

Sip - I am - ian-hill, Dec 10, 2012

It does in English too, Dual, Sir Iian is well aware.. - annierats, Dec 10, 2012

Answer 7

Yes, I know him and I know what he is really like.

Sí, lo conozco y sé lo que es en realidad.

Yes, I know of him.

Sí, ya sé de él.

Yes, I know him.

Sí, lo conozco.