Post on 22-Dec-2015
Both verbs mean “to know”
We use them in different situations. Let’s look at their verb charts first so we
know how to conjugate… they are a little bit irregular.
Only the “yo” form is goofy.
sé sabemos
sabessabe sabenconozco conocem
osconocesconoce conocen
Yes, you NEED that accent over the e.
SABER
Use SABER with facts and information to express knowledge about them.
Ellos saben que hora es. They know what time it is.
Use SABER with an infinitive verb to express that you know HOW to do something.
Ellos saben bailar.They know how to dance.
CONOCER
Use CONOCER with people and places to express that you know them (or have been to the place).
¿Conoces a una persona famosa?Do you know a famous person?
Tom conoce muy bien Elitch Gardens.Tom knows Elitch Gardens very well.
CONOCER
A special rule:When you use conocer with a person, you
need the word “a” in between. (This is called the “personal a.”)
¿Conoces a una persona famosa?Do you know a famous person?
Nosotros conocemos al director.We know the principal.
Do you know that Jane is a big fan of sports?
¿______________ que Jane es una gran aficionada a los deportes?
I met Amparo by letter during the summer of 1993. Ahh, memories.
_____________ Amparo por carta durante el verano de 1993. Ahh, recuerdos.
Tom knows how to climb mountains. He knows Pike’s Peak particularly well.
Tom ____________ escalar montañas. Él ___________ muy bien a Pike’s Peak.