Saber vs Conocer: Two Ways to Say 'Know' in Spanish
Saber or conocer? Learn when to use each way to say know in Spanish: facts and skills vs people and places, with examples and common phrases.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
English has one "know". Spanish has two: saber and conocer. The difference is simple once you see it.
The rule
- Saber = to know facts, information or how to do something.
- Conocer = to know / be familiar with people, places and things.
Saber
- Sé tu nombre. — I know your name.
- ¿Sabes dónde está el metro? — Do you know where the metro is?
- No sé. — I don't know.
- Sé cocinar. — I know how to cook. (No "cómo" needed!)
- ¿Sabes hablar español? — Do you know how to speak Spanish?
Conocer
- Conozco a tu hermano. — I know your brother. (Note the personal a.)
- ¿Conoces Madrid? — Have you been to Madrid? / Do you know Madrid?
- No conozco ese restaurante. — I don't know that restaurant.
- Mucho gusto en conocerte. — Nice to meet you.
Conjugation
| saber | conocer | |
|---|---|---|
| yo | sé | conozco |
| tú | sabes | conoces |
| él/ella | sabe | conoce |
| nosotros | sabemos | conocemos |
| ellos | saben | conocen |
Meaning shift in the past
- Conocí a mi novia en 2020. — I met my girlfriend in 2020. (preterite = met)
- Supe la noticia ayer. — I found out the news yesterday. (preterite = found out)
Common phrases
- No sé. — I don't know.
- ¿Tú qué sabes? — What do you know? (teasing)
- Que yo sepa… — As far as I know…
- Darse a conocer — to become known
- Conocer a alguien de vista — to know someone by sight
Quick test
Can you replace "know" with "be acquainted with" or "have been to"? → conocer. Is it a fact or skill? → saber.
Practice: saber or conocer?
- ¿____ a mi hermana? → Conoces
- No ____ dónde está el baño. → sé
- ¿____ cocinar mole? → Sabes
- Quiero ____ Madrid. → conocer
- ____ que tienes razón. → Sé
- ¿____ un buen restaurante por aquí? → Conoces
- Mi abuela ____ muchas historias. → sabe
- ____ a mi esposo en una fiesta. → Conocí
Practice
You'll use no sé, ¿sabes dónde…? and ¿conoces…? constantly in conversation. Try them in Lolo's Madrid directions call. See ser vs estar and Spanish question words.
Frequently asked questions
Is it "sé nadar" or "sé cómo nadar"?
Sé nadar. Saber + infinitive already means "know how to".
Why "conozco a María" with "a"?
Spanish uses the personal a before people as direct objects.
How do you say "I met" someone?
Conocí a…, using conocer in the preterite.