Identify

• The verbs [SABER] and [CONOCER] both mean to know.
• But these verbs have very different meanings.

Connect

• LEAF Spanish Grammar: Verb Conjugation – Basics
• LEAF Spanish Grammar: The Verb [SABER] with Information
• LEAF Spanish Grammar: The Verb [CONOCER] with Familiarity

60-Second Spanish Grammar Lesson

• Coming Soon!

Study

The verb [SABER] means to either know information (facts, data) or know how to do something. It expresses knowledge.

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[SABER] : To know (information, facts, data)

¿Sabe usted dónde está?
Do you know where it is?

¿Sabe usted qué hora es?
Do you know what time is it?

When you use [SABER] to know how to do something, all you need is the conjugated form of the verb [SABER].

(Using the word “cómo” after [SABER] is often mistaken, and is not correct in these sentences.)

Yo sé hablar español
I know how to speak Spanish

Ellos saben nadar muy bien.
They know how to swim very well.

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The verb [CONOCER] means to know someone or something. More specifically, a familiarity with a place of location or meeting someone personally.

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[CONOCER] : To know people, to meet someone, or to be familiar with a place!

¿Conoces tú mi hermana?
Do you know (have you met) my sister?

¿Conoces la maestra de español?
Do you know (have you met) the Spanish teacher.

Nosotros vamos a conocer el presidente.
We are going to meet the president.

Yo le conozco.
I know you.

[CONOCER] with knowing the familiarity of locations or concepts.

¿Conoces tú Madrid?
Do you know (are you familiar) with Madrid?

¿Conoce usted la universidad?
Do you know (are you familiar) with the university?

Adapt

No, no sé qué dice el cartel.
No, I do not know what the poster says.

¿Ellos saben dónde estamos?
Do they know where we are?

Si, ellos saben dónde estamos.
Yes, they know where we are.

¿Ellos saben cocinar?
Do they know how to cook?

Si, ellos saben cocinar bien.
Yes, they know how to cook well.

¿Sabe usted hablar inglés?
Do you know how to speak English?

Si, yo sé hablar inglés.
Yes, I know how to speak English.

¿Conoce usted mi hermano?
Have you met my brother?

No, no conozco su hermano todavía.
No, I do not know (have not met) your brother yet.

¿Conoces tú la biblioteca?
Do you know (are you familiar with) the library?

Engage

• LEAF Spanish Verb Conjugation Chart: The Verb [SABER]
• LEAF Spanish Verb Conjugation Chart: The Verb [CONOCER]

Explore

• YouTube/TontitoFrito: Saber vs. Conocer
• YouTube/Esaudio: Saber vs. Conocer
• YouTube/MaestroKaplan: Saber vs. Conocer
• YouTube/MrLearnSpanish: Saber & Conocer

Quizlet Activities

• The Verb [SABER] with Information – Examples
• Direct Link: [https://quizlet.com/_8y9exd]
• Click on the top right-hand corner for Options.
• Click on the bottom right-hand corner to change Study Mode. 

Quizlet Activities

• The Verb [CONOCER] with Familiarity – Examples
• Direct Link: [https://quizlet.com/_8yfgsh]
• Click on the top right-hand corner for Options.
• Click on the bottom right-hand corner to change Study Mode.