Saber & Conocer Flashcards
What is the difference between saber & conocer?
Well, they both mean to know,
BUT
the meaning of saber or conocer in Spanish, depends on the message and context in which each individual verb is used.
The use of these verbs are not interchangeable!
What is the use for saber in the present tense?
1- To express knowledge, ignorance of a fact or information about something, use “saber.”
Mario sabe la leccion de historia.
2- To express knowledge or ignorance of a skill, or how to do something, use saber + infinitive.
saber + usar la computadora
Nosotros sabemos usar la computadora.
What is the use for conocer in the present tense?
To say that one is or isn’t acquainted with a person, a place, or an object, use conocer.
Yo conozco Madrid pero no conozco Alabama.
Give a summary of the use for saber & conocer.
saber
to know a fact, to know something thoroughly, to know how to do something
conocer
to be acquainted with a person, place, or thing
What are the conjugations for saber?
yo sé
tú sabes
ud., él, ellas sabe
nosotros, -as sabemos
uds., ellos, ellas, saben
What are the conjugations for conocer?
yo conozco
tú conoces
ud., él, ella conoce
nosotros, -as conocemos
uds., ellos, ellas conocen
Did you notice that both verbs are irregular in the yo form?
Yo sé (saber)
Yo conozco (conocer)
Complete the sentence:
¿____ quién es el chico de la banda?
Answer: Sabes
This question is about knowing information about a person. Use saber
Complete the sentence:
Yo ____A_____ quién es el chico de la banda, pero no lo ____B______.
Answer A: sé
(have fact, information about him)
Answer B: conozco
(not familiar with him)
Complete the sentence:
Antonio no _____ crear una página Web.
Answer: sabe
(to know how to do something: saber + infinitive)
