Saber vs. Conocer

If You Know You Know...  "Si tu sabes, tu sabes!"

      In Spanish, the verb, "saber," means, 'to know, ' and is used for factual knowledge, information, and "how to" skills.

It conjugates this way in the indicative present:

yo "I"... sé 

tu "you"...sabes

el/la/Ud "he/she/you (formal)"... sabe

Nosotros "we"... sabemos

Ellos/-as/Uds "They/ you plural"... saben

"Conocer," which also translates as, 'to know,' or, 'to be familiar' is used for familiarity with people, places, or things, implying a personal relationship or acquaintance. 

It conjugates this way in the indicative present:

yo "I"... conozco 

tu "you"...conoces

el/la/Ud "he/she/you (formal)"... conoce

Nosotros "we"... conocemos

Ellos/-as/Uds "They/ you plural"... conocen

For instance, you can, "saber" a fact (e.g., "Sé la capital de España" - 'I know the capital of Spain'), or, ("Yo sé cocinar Sancocho" - 'I know how to cook Sancocho').

But, you "conocer" a person ("Conozco a María" - 'I know María'), or a place, "Yo conozco Santo Domingo muy bien," - 'I know muy bien Santo Domingo.'

When to Use Saber

To know facts or information: ¿Sabes la hora? (Do you know the time?) 

To know "how to" do something: Sé cocinar (I know how to cook) 

To know something by heart: Sé la canción de memoria (I know the song by heart) 

When to Use Conocer

To know a person: Conozco a tu hermano (I know your brother) 

To know a place: Conozco esa ciudad (I know that city) 

To meet someone for the first time: Lo/La conocí ayer (I met him/her yesterday) 

To be familiar with a thing: Conozco este libro (I'm familiar with this book) 

Quick Tips

Saber = to know facts, information, or how to do something. 

Conocer = to know (be familiar with), to meet, or to be acquainted with a person, place, or thing. 


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