140
Saber and conocer are quite common verbs in Spanish, however they’re a problem to grasp. Understanding when and the right way to use these “realizing” verbs generally is a dilemma, however it’s an vital step in studying the right way to communicate Spanish.
Mixing up a difficult Spanish phrase pair normally received’t derail your entire dialog, however getting them proper could make you sound extra like a local speaker. We’ll break down saber vs. conocer, so you recognize all their ins and outs and may be certain you’re utilizing them appropriately. When you’ve acquired their variations down, follow utilizing them in conversations with skilled Spanish audio system via Rosetta Stone Tutoring periods.
Variations and similarities between saber vs. conocer
Typically, saber and conocer are each translated as “to know” in English, however they’re not likely the identical factor, and so they’re not interchangeable. Each Spanish verbs seek advice from sorts of information or familiarity.
There’s one scenario the place saber and conocer kind of overlap. While you’re speaking about one thing very summary, like a thriller, a reality, a secret, or a purpose, you may use both verb. There’s a really refined distinction in that means, however the concept is evident irrespective of which verb you employ.
- Quiero conocer la razón. = I need to know the explanation. (Tells you that I need a full rationalization with extra element to know the explanation.)
- Quiero saber la razón. = I need to know the explanation. (Tells you I need to know the explanation, however particulars aren’t needed.)
What does saber imply?
Saber means “to know” in an mental or psychological approach. This would come with realizing info, data, expertise, or the right way to do one thing.
Try these instance sentences utilizing saber:
- Sabes que no estoy en casa. = You realize that I’m not at residence
- Sabemos que Costa Rica está en América Central. = We all know that Costa Rica is in Central America.
What does conocer imply?
Conocer means “to know” within the sense of “to be acquainted with,” “to be acquainted with,” or “to have visited.” Conocer is sort of all the time related to folks, locations, or issues.
Let’s have a look at some examples:
- Conoces mi casa. = You realize my home. (You’re acquainted with it since you’ve been there earlier than.)
- Conocemos Costa Rica. = We all know Costa Rica. (We’re acquainted with Costa Rica or we’ve visited Costa Rica earlier than.)
How you can use saber
It’s value noting that saber is an irregular Spanish verb. So, its kinds don’t observe the usual conjugation patterns in all Spanish verb tenses. You’ll discover that the yo kind is irregular: yo sé. However don’t fear! With a bit follow, the completely different types of saber (together with yo sé) will likely be second nature.
Under is a chart that exhibits you the current tense types of saber.
| yo sé | I do know | nosotros/nosotras sabemos | we all know |
| tú sabes/usted sabe | you recognize (singular casual/singular formal) | vosotros/vosotras sabéis | you recognize (plural casual in Spain) |
| usted/él/ella sabe | he/she/it is aware of | ustedes/ellos/ellas saben | You realize (plural formal or casual)/they know |
* In Spain, ustedes is just utilized in formal conditions.
Observe: The female plural topic pronouns seek advice from solely a bunch of all females or female nouns. The Spanish pronoun ella is just used for “she” in these instances. Equally, nosotras is used for “we,” vosotras is used for “you,” and ellas is used for “they.”
Utilizing saber to narrate info
Saber is your go-to verb for issues you recognize, have discovered, or have info about in addition to belongings you don’t know, haven’t discovered, or don’t have info about. For instance:
- Luis no sabe que Perú está en América del Sur. = Luis doesn’t know that Peru is in South America.
- Yo sé que los peruanos hablan español. = I know that Peruvians communicate Spanish.
- ¿Sabes si Machu Picchu está en Perú? = Do you know if Machu Picchu is in Peru?
When saber is used to narrate info, it’s usually adopted by the phrase que (that). In English, the phrase “that” is commonly optionally available in our sentences, however it’s by no means optionally available in Spanish. For instance:
- Yo sé que tienes un perro. = I do know that you’ve a canine./I do know you’ve a canine.
Utilizing saber to share data
You’ll additionally use saber to share data with others.
- Sabemos que Marcos toma el autobús para ir a la escuela. = We know that Marcos takes the bus to high school.
- Sabe que los estudiantes van a hacer un experimento en la clase. = He is aware of that the scholars are going to do an experiment within the class.
- La profesora sabe que los estudiantes no están preparados. = The trainer is aware of that the scholars aren’t ready.
Utilizing saber to speak expertise
Saber additionally means “to understand how” to do one thing. Observe that it’s additionally utilized in some instances the place we’d use “to find a way” in English although we’re truly speaking about realizing the right way to do one thing.
- Vosotras sabéis hablar francés. = You all can communicate French.
- Nosotros sabemos montar a caballo. = We know the right way to journey a horse/We can journey a horse.
Saber is adopted by an infinitive on this context.
- Ella sabe nadar. = She is aware of how to swim.
- ¿Saben ustedes tocar la guitarra? = Can you play the guitar?/Do you understand how to play the guitar?
Frequent Spanish phrases that use saber
Follow saying these frequent Spanish phrases that use saber.
| Spanish | English |
| Yo lo sé/Yo sé | I do know |
| No lo sé/No sé | I don’t know |
| ¡Yo qué sé! /¡Qué sé yo! | How would I do know! |
| De haberlo sabido | If solely I had recognized |
| Solo para saber | Simply to know/In order that I do know |
| No sé ni papa de ____ | I don’t have a clue about ____ |
How you can use conocer
Conocer implies a familiarity that’s the results of private expertise or long-term information. It’s not about realizing a reality or a ability—it describes a way of familiarity or private expertise.
Conocer is an irregular verb, too. You’ll discover that the yo kind is irregular within the current tense: yo conozco.
Under is a chart that exhibits you the current tense types of conocer.
| yo conozco | I do know | nosotros/nosotras conocemos | We all know |
| tú conoces | You realize (singular casual) | vosotros/vosotras conocéis | You realize (plural casual in Spain) |
| usted/él/ella conoce | You (singular formal)/he/she/it is aware of | ustedes/ellos/ellas conocen | You realize (plural formal or casual)/they know |
* In Spain, ustedes is just utilized in formal conditions.
Utilizing conocer to debate folks
You’ll use conocer to speak about assembly or realizing folks.
- Conozco a ese chico de nuestra clase de español. = I know that boy from our Spanish class.
- Su hermana me conoce. = His sister is aware of me.
- ¿Conoces tú a su hermana? = Do you know his sister?
Utilizing conocer to debate locations
You’ll use conocer for those who’re acquainted with a spot or metropolis, whether or not you recognize it properly otherwise you visited it simply as soon as.
- Mi hermano no conoce Madrid. = My brother isn’t acquainted with Madrid. (My brother has by no means been to Madrid.)
- Yo conozco bien la ciudad. = I know the town properly.
- Mi hija y yo conocemos muchos lugares en España. = My daughter and I are acquainted with many locations in Spain. (We’ve been to many locations.)
Utilizing conocer to debate issues
You too can use conocer to speak about being acquainted with or having information of a sure factor, equivalent to a restaurant, a automotive, or the trail to a vacation spot.
- Conozco el camino a Mérida. = I know the best way to Mérida.
- ¿Conoces el modelo de carro que usan los taxistas allí? = Are you acquainted with the mannequin of automotive that the taxi drivers use there?
- El taxista conoce bien lo que quieren los turistas. = The taxi driver could be very acquainted with what the vacationers need.
Frequent Spanish phrases that use conocer
| Spanish | English |
| No conozco a nadie. | I don’t know anybody. |
| Yo conozco a María. | I do know María. |
| Te conozco. | I do know you. |
| Mucho gusto conocerle. | Happy to fulfill you. (formal) |
| Mucho gusto conocerte. | Happy to fulfill you. (casual) |
How saber vs. conocer change that means within the preterite
In the case of saber vs. conocer within the preterite tense, each verbs tackle new meanings. Saber means “came upon,” “discovered,” or “heard about” when used within the preterite.
- Yo supe del accidente por la mañana. = I heard about the accident within the morning.
- Tomás lo supo por el periódico. = Tomás came upon about it within the newspaper.
Conocer modifications that means within the preterite, too. It means “met” (an individual) or “first turned acquainted with” (a factor or place).
- Period otoño cuando conocí a Magdalena. = It was fall after I met Magdalena.
- Nos conocimos en un parque. = We met in a park.
- Fue entonces cuando ella conoció la ciudad. = It was then that she first turned acquainted with the town.
Key takeaways about saber vs. conocer
Don’t let tough Spanish phrase pairs like saber vs. conocer hold you from attaining your language objectives.
- Saber and conocer aren’t interchangeable.
- Saber and conocer are each irregular verbs in Spanish.
- Saber is about stating an goal reality or piece of information you’ve.
- Conocer describes a familiarity with somebody or one thing.
Written by Laura Skidmore