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"Know" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "saber", and "be familiar with" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "estar familiarizado con". Learn more about the difference between "know" and "be familiar with" below.
know(
no
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. saber
Do you know when the next bus is leaving?¿Sabes a qué hora sale el próximo autobús?
He knows French, Spanish, and German.Sabe francés, español y alemán.
a. conocer
I know her from school, but we're not really friends.La conozco de la escuela, pero realmente no somos amigos.
a. entender
I don't know how you can treat her like that.No entiendo cómo puedes tratarla así.
a. reconocer
I knew him just by hearing his voice.Lo reconocí tan solo de escuchar su voz.
a. saber
I don't know if you should walk home so late.No sé si deberías caminar sola a tu casa a esta hora.
a. saberse
Do you know the alphabet yet?¿Ya te sabes el abecedario?
He knows a lot about the American Civil War.Se sabe mucho de la guerra civil estadounidense.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. saber
Is today Tuesday? - I don't know.¿Hoy es martes? - No lo sé.
a. saber
Did I leave the keys on the table? - I don't know.¿Dejé las llaves sobre la mesa? - No sé.
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be familiar with(
bi
 
fuh
-
mihl
-
yuhr
 
wihth
)
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
transitive verb phrase
a. estar familiarizado con
Are you familiar with video calls? I want to make one and I don't know how.¿Estás familiarizado con las videollamadas? Quiero hacer una y no sé.
b. familiarizarse con
Here's a list of terms you should be familiar with to succeed in the exam.Esta es una lista de los términos con los que deberías familiarizarte para tener éxito en el examen.
c. conocer
George shouldn't do that and he knows it. He is familiar with the regulations.George no debería hacer eso y lo sabe. Conoce el reglamento.
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