In French, savoir means "to know" a fact or how to do something, while comprendre means "to understand" something. Savoir is about possessing knowledge, and comprendre is about mentally grasping or making sense of it.
- Savoir = to know a fact, to know how to do something, or to have learned something.
- Comprendre = to understand, to grasp the meaning, or to make sense of something.
Usage of Savoir
Savoir is used when talking about knowing facts, knowing how to do something, or having learned something. It can be followed by a clause (que, si, qui, etc.), an infinitive, or a question word (où, quand, pourquoi...).
- Je sais que tu viens ce soir. (I know that you’re coming tonight.)
- Elle sait parler italien. (She knows how to speak Italian.)
- Nous savons où est la bibliothèque. (We know where the library is.)
Usage of Comprendre
Comprendre is used when talking about understanding meanings, ideas, explanations, or situations. It focuses on the mental process of grasping something.
- Je comprends la question. (I understand the question.)
- Il ne comprend pas pourquoi tu es fâché. (He doesn’t understand why you’re upset.)
- Nous comprenons mieux avec des exemples. (We understand better with examples.)
Savoir vs. Connaître
Two verbs mean "to know" in French: savoir and connaître.
- Savoir = to know a fact, to know how to do something (always followed by a clause, question word, or infinitive).
- Connaître = to be familiar with someone or something (followed by a noun).
Examples:
- Je sais jouer du piano. (I know how to play piano.)
- Je connais ce musicien. (I know this musician.)
- Je sais que Mozart est un compositeur célèbre. (I know that Mozart is a famous composer.)
- Je connais sa musique. (I know his/her music.)
Savoir vs. Comprendre Examples
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je sais que la Terre est ronde. | I know that the Earth is round. |
| Je comprends pourquoi la Terre tourne. | I understand why the Earth rotates. |
| Elle sait parler espagnol. | She knows how to speak Spanish. |
| Elle ne comprend pas la grammaire espagnole. | She doesn’t understand Spanish grammar. |
| Nous savons où est le musée. | We know where the museum is. |
| Nous comprenons les instructions. | We understand the instructions. |
Tips to Choose Between Savoir and Comprendre
- Use savoir when referring to knowledge of facts, information, or skills.
- Use comprendre when referring to mental grasp, interpretation, or making sense of something.
- If you’re talking about knowing how to do something, use savoir + [infinitive].
- If you’re talking about figuring out, making sense of, or getting an idea, use comprendre.
- Don’t confuse savoir with comprendre; knowing a rule doesn’t mean you immediately understand it.
Summary
Savoir = to know (a fact, a piece of information, or how to do something).
Comprendre = to understand (the meaning, the reason, or the explanation).
Connaître = to be familiar with someone or something.
These three verbs cover different aspects of "knowing" and "understanding" in French.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English: I know that the Earth is round.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
