SABER & CONOCER

Both are verbs that mean To know. 

They are used in different situations.

Saber is used to imply:

§ Knowledge, facts

   Yo sé donde vive el chico.

   I know where the boy lives.

(I have knowledge of the fact.)

§ To know how to do something.

   Yo sé hablar español.

   I know how to speak Spanish.

Conocer is used to imply:

§ Acquainted with

         Yo conozco a María.

         I know Mary.

(I am acquainted with her.)

§ Familiar with

         Yo conozco South Lake Tahoe.

I know South Lake Tahoe, I am familiar with the area.

§ To meet

Yo quiero conocer al chico.

I want to meet the boy.

saber

conocer

Both verbs are irregular in the yo form.

yo

sé

conozco

tú

sabes

conoces

él, ella, usted

sabe

conoce

nosotros

sabemos

conocemos

vosotros

sabéis

conocéis

ellos, ustedes

saben

conocen

I know how to ski.

Yo sé esquiar.

I don’t know how to speak French.

No sé hablar francés.

Do you know how to get to her house?

¿Sabes llegar a su casa?

She knows how to dance.

Ella sabe bailar.

We know how to use the computer.

Sabemos usar la computadora.

They know how to cook.

Ellos saben cocinar.

I know José.

Yo conozco a José.

She knows the teacher.

Ella conoce a la profesora.

Do you know the man?

¿Conoces al hombre?

We know the children.

Conocemos a los niños.

They know my cousin.

Ellos conocen a mi primo.

I know Mexico well.

Conozco México bien.

 Personal a

When the direct object of a verb is a person, a must go in front of the person.

Direct object = who or what the verb does.

Whom do I know?

I know Mary.

¿A quién conozco?

Conozco a María.

We know Raul.

Conocemos a Raul.

I love Carmen.

Quiero a Carmen.