In this grammar lesson, you will learn about saber vs conocer.
In this lesson you will learn about:
- saber vs conocer
- how saber vs conocer are used in sentences
- how you can quiz yourself on saber vs conocer
- how you can practice with flashcards on saber vs conocer
- how and why you should use the courses of Language Atlas to learn Spanish
By the end of the lesson, you will know all about how to say saber vs conocer!
Table of Contents
Introduction to Saber vs Conocer
There are two verbs in Spanish for “to know”:
- saber (to know)
- conocer (to know)
Knowing which one to use can be confusing.
However, after this lesson, you will always know which one to use!
When to use Saber
Saber (to know) is used to talk about facts.
When you use saber to talk about facts, it generally will be followed with:
- si (if)
- que (that)
- por qué (why)
- cómo (how)
- cuál (which)
- cuándo (when)
- dónde (where)
- quién (who)
Please have a look at the following examples:
Yo no sé dónde has dejado tus llaves.
I don’t know where you left your keys.
¿Sabes si pasa por aquí el autobús a Cádiz?
Do you know if the bus to Cádiz passes through here?
Juan no sabe por qué ha dicho eso. Dice que no se acuerda.
Juan doesn’t know why he said that. He says he doesn’t remember.
Sabemos que has hecho un gran trabajo en esta empresa.
We know you have done a great job in this company.
¿Sabéis quién va a casarse el año que viene?
Do you know who is getting married next year? [vosotros]
Ellos no saben cómo montar la estantería.
They don’t know how to assemble the shelf.
¿Sabes a quién le han dado la plaza de auxiliar?
Do you know who has been given the assistant position?
Conocer cannot be used like this.
You can also use saber to talk about skills and abilities. These are things that you can learn.
When you use saber like this, it generally will be followed by an infinitive (full verb).
Yo no sé tocar el piano, aunque siempre he querido aprender.
I can’t play the piano, although I have always wanted to learn.
Rafael todavía no sabe montar en bicicleta. Quiere que su tío le enseñe.
Rafael still can’t ride a bicycle. He wants his uncle to teach him.
When you use it like this it will mean “to be able to [do something]”.
Conocer cannot be used like this.
When to use Conocer
Conocer (to know) is used to express that you know a person or a place. Generally, you are already familiar with a certain person or place.
Please have a look at the following examples:
¿Conocéis a Marta, la que vive en el piso de abajo?
Do you know Marta, who lives in the flat below?
No conozco a ningún Alberto, lo siento. Se ha equivocado de número.
I don’t know any Alberto, sorry. You have the wrong number.
You cannot use saber for this.
Don’t forget that you need to use the preposition “a” if you talk about people.
Finally, don’t forget that in the preterite and the present perfect, conocer means “to meet”.
Fernando lo conoció el año pasado.
Fernando met him last year.
No los has conocido.
You have not met them.
Saber vs Conocer in a Nutshell
Saber is used to talk about facts, skills and abilities.
Conocer is used to express that you know a person or a place.
Example Sentences on Saber vs Conocer
This section of the lesson on saber vs conocer is about seeing the verbs used in sentences.
This is valuable because you can improve your understanding of saber vs conocer through examples.
Yo no sé dónde has dejado tus llaves.
I don’t know where you left your keys.
¿Sabes si pasa por aquí el autobús a Cádiz?
Do you know if the bus to Cádiz passes through here?
Juan no sabe por qué ha dicho eso. Dice que no se acuerda.
Juan doesn’t know why he said that. He says he doesn’t remember.
Sabemos que has hecho un gran trabajo en esta empresa.
We know you have done a great job in this company.
¿Sabéis quién va a casarse el año que viene?
Do you know who is getting married next year?
Ellos no saben cómo montar la estantería.
They don’t know how to assemble the shelf.
¿Sabes a quién le han dado la plaza de auxiliar?
Do you know who has been given the assistant position?
Yo no sé tocar el piano, aunque siempre he querido aprender.
I can’t play the piano, although I have always wanted to learn.
Rafael todavía no sabe montar en bicicleta. Quiere que su tío le enseñe.
Rafael still can’t ride a bicycle. He wants his uncle to teach him.
¿Conocéis a Marta, la que vive en el piso de abajo?
Do you know Marta, who lives in the flat below?
No conozco a ningún Alberto, lo siento. Se ha equivocado de número.
I don’t know any Alberto, sorry. You have the wrong number.
Fernando lo conoció el año pasado.
Fernando met him last year.
No los has conocido.
You have not met them.
Quiz Yourself on Saber vs Conocer
At the end of every lesson, you can do a small quiz.
You will see the sentences of the previous chapter.
You will either need to fill in the blanks, choose the correct multiple choice option, or both.
Once you are done the correct answer will be shown.
You can redo the quiz as many times as you want!
How to Practice With Flashcards for This Lesson
Using flashcards is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning a language!
It is the best way to memorize what you learn, you can personalize your progression because it adapts to your actions, and all flashcards have audio to improve your hearing and pronunciation.
Please read our article on how to learn a new language for more information on flashcards and the best way to learn a new language.
There are two ways to practice with Flashcards for this lesson.
- Anki
- The Flashcards in our Courses
Anki is a free software with which you can create and practice flashcards.
After you have downloaded Anki for free, you can get our Spanish B1 Anki Deck.
This Anki Deck contains 2,052 flashcards with which you can practice absolutely everything for Spanish B1.
All the flashcards have text, images, explanations, and audio.
You can also use our courses that have flashcards integrated alongside lessons with audio, quizzes and much more!
However, I am sure you are wondering, what are your courses, and why should I take them?
The Courses of Language Atlas
Have you ever wondered what the best way is to learn a new language?
I have been learning languages for over 20+ years and I was always frustrated with books, courses, and classes that I had tried.
It never really seemed to work for me.
I wanted to learn a language in the most effective and efficient way, and there was nothing out there for me.
So I thought, “why not make something myself?“.
Using my experience and by doing research I created Language Atlas, a platform where people can learn French and Spanish in the most effective and efficient way.
I created free lessons and quizzes so that there would always be an easy and accessible way for people to learn or brush up on their language skills.
However, I also created courses that are much more comprehensive and in-depth.
These courses are easy to follow, clear, and allow you to become fluent in the most effective and efficient way.
The courses of Language Atlas have:
- 800+ Lessons with audio
- 800+ Quizzes
- 10,000 Flashcards with explanations, images, and audio
- A gamified way of learning a new language
- A vibrant community (including support from me)
You can register for free and try the French A0/A1 and Spanish A0/A1 Courses for free!
This includes over 60 lessons and quizzes, 500 flashcards that adapt to how you learn, and access to the community (including support from me).
All you have to do is study 30 minutes a day and you will be fluent in no time!
Don’t miss out – register for free and start learning!
