Saber vs. Conocer

Teaching Saber vs. Conocer

In Spanish there are two verbs that can be translated to “to know” in English. The are the verbs “saber” and “conocer”. These verbs have two different meanings.

Saber = To know (a fact, information or how to do something)

(yo)sé = I know
(tú)sabes = You know
(él)sabe = He knows
(ella)sabe = She knows
(usted)sabe = You (formal) know
(nosotros/nosotras)sabemos = We know
(ellos/ellas)saben = They know
(ustedes)saben = All of you know

Examples:

¿Sabes el número de teléfono de Juan?
Do you know Juan’s telephone number?

Yo sé que ella no vive aquí.
I know she doesn’t live here.

Mis amigos saben bailar.
My friends know how to dance.

Ustedes saben los nombres de las capitales.
All of you know the names of the capitals.

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

(yo)conozco = I know
(tú)conoces = You know
(él)conoce = He knows
(ella)conoce = She knows
(usted)conoce = You (formal) know
(nosotros/nosotras)conocemos = We sabemos
(ellos/ellas)conocen = They know
(ustedes)conocen = All of you know

Examples:

Mi hermano no conoce a Pedro.
My brother doesn’t know Pedro

¿Conocen ustedes un buen restaurante por aquí?
Do you all know of a good restaurant around here?

Yo conozco bien la ciudad de Austin.
I know Austin well.