Formal Questions: Saber/Conocer?

Question

I have one section of my Spanish homework that I can't figure out. It says I have to use the correct form of Saber OR Conocer, and then also make sure to use the usted (formal) form instead of tú. It said they ask questions this way in Colombia.

Here are some examples: ¿________ a muchas personas aquí?

¿________ jugar al tenis?

¿________ cocinar bien?

¿________ a los dueños del apartamento?

¿________ qué tiendas están cerca?

Help and explanation is appreciated!

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Answer 1

Saber, is often used with another verb, (supiste jugar..., sé cocinar..., sabías hacer... ). Also it may be referred to some information (¿Sabes dónde está el baño?, o Sé lo que te pasa. etc).

and Conocer is used with a direct object (Conozco a tu padre, conocí a tu hermano, conocí Canadá, conoceremos Europa.

my humble opinion, i hope i helped you!

Mmm, I like this distinction. - Manity, Mar 11, 2015

Answer 2

I have to use the correct form of Saber OR Conocer, and then also make sure to use the usted (formal) form instead of tú.

¿________ a muchas personas aquí?

I will walk you through one, we cannot do them all.

The first thing is “saber or conocer” which they must have taught you in class. Conocer generally means to know as in acquainted with or familiar with, saber is know as in know information, facts, how to do things.

Here as it is do you know many people here- it would be conocer.

They want the conjugation for usted= conoce, not tú (which would be conoces).

¿Conoce (usted) a muchas personas aquí?

If you try with the rest, someone may help correct you.

Answer 3

Sure, you can say things without "Tú"

¿Sabes cuánto cuesta?

¿Conoces a ese tipo?

¿Sabes jugar billar?

To know has 2 meanings in spanish: conocer y saber. Conocer is to know people, saber is to know facts or how to do things.

Te context is given by the tense and conjugation of the verb. "Sabes" is the present tense for the singular second person, that is "you/él". - georgeir, Mar 10, 2015

Answer 4

You can find a post about this on my website

http://www.spanishskype.org/#!Saber-vs-Conocer/c251q/13022772-9CE9-47D0-A444-298E26869591

The verbs SABER y CONOCER both means "to know". However, you need choose "saber" or "conocer" depending on the context in wich is used it. These verbs are not interchangeable.

SABER CONOCER yo sé nosotros sabemos yo conozco nosotros conocemos tú sabes vosotros sabéis tú conoces vosotros conocéis él/ud sabe ellos/uds saben él/ud conoce ellos/uds conocen

• Watch out! Both saber and conocer are verbs with irregular first person.

SABER means to know facts and information:

1.To know information: saber

I know your telephone number. Yo sé tu número de teléfono.

1. To know that: saber que....

They know that I am here. Ellos saben que yo estoy aquí.

1. To know how to do something: saber + infinitive

He knows how to play tennis. Él sabe jugar al tenis.

CONOCER is used to express familiarity with a person, a place, a thing or a particular field of learning:

1. To know a person: conocer a

We know your sister. Nosotros conocemos a tu hermana.

1. To know a place

I know Spain. Conozco España.

1. To know (be familiar with) a thing, be well versed in an area

The hairdresser knows his client's hair. El peluquero conoce el pelo de sus clientes.