When either saber or conocer is correct?

Question

I know that saber is for facts and things; conocer for people and places. But are there times when you could use either one and be correct? Such as,

I know where he lives.

Sé(Conozco) donde vive. It is a fact (that I know where he lives), but it is also a place (where he lives).

there are times when they are interchangable - jessicamccall117, May 24, 2013

Answer 1

"Conozco donde vive" means "I know the place where he lives," as in "I am familiar with where he lives," Perhaps because you lived there before or because you know it very well.

Yes, this is the right idea, however we would normally say Conozco el lugar / la ciudad / el pueblo donde vive. This way there is no room for error.

Answer 2

Try this lesson from Study Spanish: Saber vs. Conocer

Erichsen has a useful discussion as well:http://spanish.about.com/cs/vocabulary/a/verbs_for_know.htm - EugenioCosta, May 24, 2013

I agree, thanks for the article. XD - jessicamccall117, May 24, 2013

Answer 3

I'd say:

Sé donde vive.

To mean "I know where he lives," as in "I am aware of where he lives."

To me,

"Conozco donde vive" means "I know the place where he lives," as in "I am familiar with where he lives," Perhaps because you lived there before or because you know it very well.

So, there are two different aspects. The first, you only know the information, and in the second you know the place.