French verbs savoir and comprendre both relate to knowledge, but savoir means "to know" a fact or skill, while comprendre means "to understand" something. This guide explains their differences, usage, and examples.
In French, both savoir and comprendre involve knowledge, but they are used in different contexts. Savoir is about knowing facts, information, or how to do something, while comprendre is about understanding meaning or grasping concepts. Choosing the right verb depends on whether you’re talking about possessing knowledge (savoir) or making sense of something (comprendre).
Conjugations
Here are the present tense (indicative) conjugations for savoir (to know) and comprendre (to understand). These forms are key for talking about knowledge and understanding in everyday French.
| French Pronoun | Savoir (to know) | Comprendre (to understand) | Savoir Example | Comprendre Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | je sais | je comprends | Je sais la réponse. | Je comprends la question. |
| tu | tu sais | tu comprends | Tu sais nager. | Tu comprends l'exercice. |
| il/elle/on | il sait | elle comprend | Elle sait mon numéro. | Il comprend vite. |
| nous | nous savons | nous comprenons | Nous savons la vérité. | Nous comprenons la situation. |
| vous | vous savez | vous comprenez | Vous savez parler anglais. | Vous comprenez la règle. |
| ils/elles | ils savent | elles comprennent | Ils savent le prix. | Elles comprennent la leçon. |
Usage
Understanding when to use savoir vs. comprendre is crucial for accurate French.
| Verb | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| savoir | to know (a fact, how to do something) | Used for knowing information, facts, or skills. Can be followed by verbs (infinitive), clauses, or nouns. |
| comprendre | to understand (make sense of something) | Used for grasping meaning, concepts, or explanations. Focuses on mental comprehension. |
Examples:
- savoir: Je sais parler espagnol. (I know how to speak Spanish.)
- comprendre: Je comprends pourquoi tu es en retard. (I understand why you are late.)
Common Phrases
Here are some frequent expressions with savoir and comprendre that appear in everyday French.
Phrases with savoir:
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| savoir faire | to know how to do (something) |
| savoir par cœur | to know by heart |
| savoir quelque chose | to know something |
| savoir où aller | to know where to go |
| ne pas savoir | not to know |
Phrases with comprendre:
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| comprendre quelque chose | to understand something |
| comprendre pourquoi / comment | to understand why / how |
| ne pas comprendre | not to understand |
| se faire comprendre | to make oneself understood |
| comprendre de travers | to misunderstand |
Example Sentences
Below are examples contrasting savoir and comprendre to clarify their meanings.
| French Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Je sais que tu viens ce soir. | I know that you’re coming tonight. |
| Je comprends que tu sois fatigué. | I understand that you’re tired. |
| Sais-tu où est la bibliothèque ? | Do you know where the library is? |
| Comprends-tu la grammaire française ? | Do you understand French grammar? |
| Nous savons jouer du piano. | We know how to play the piano. |
| Nous comprenons la partition. | We understand the sheet music. |
Translate 'Sais-tu où est la bibliothèque ?' into English.
Do you know where the library is?
'Sais-tu' means 'Do you know', so the question asks about knowing the library's location.
Summary
- Savoir = to know facts, information, or how to do something.
- Comprendre = to understand meaning, explanations, or concepts.
- Use savoir for knowledge possession; use comprendre for mental comprehension.
- Both verbs are essential for expressing different types of “knowing” in French.
Flashcards (1 of 22)
- Savoir (to know): je sais
- Comprendre (to understand): je comprends
- Savoir Example: Je sais la réponse.
- Comprendre Example: Je comprends la question.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
