Clear Spanish grammar
Saber vs conocer: two ways to say “to know”
Saber is knowledge of information or knowing how to do something. Conocer means being acquainted with a person, place, work or subject through experience.
The essentials
Three rules that clear up the confusion
- 1
Use saber with facts, answers and question words, and use saber + infinitive for learned abilities.
- 2
Use conocer for people, places, books, films and subjects with which someone is familiar.
- 3
Before a person, conocer normally takes the personal a: Conozco a María.
Compare
Examples in complete sentences
Sé la respuesta.I know the answer.
Sé nadar.I know how to swim.
Conozco Madrid y conozco a María.I know Madrid and I know María.
Go beyond reading
Practise the rule through the guided course route
A short explanation, a task, answer checking and a direct return to the paragraph needed after a mistake.