In French, there are two main verbs for expressing "to know": savoir and connaître. Each is used in different contexts and with different meanings.
- Savoir: Used for knowing facts, information, or how to do something (knowledge you can state or demonstrate).
- Connaître: Used for being familiar with people, places, or things (experiential knowledge).
How to Use "Savoir"
Savoir is used when you know:
- Facts or information (e.g., a phone number, a date).
- How to do something (e.g., how to swim, how to cook).
- Something by heart (e.g., a poem, a song).
- In some cases, for knowing something in a sentence (often followed by que, si, or a question word).
Examples with Savoir:
- Je sais que tu as raison. (I know that you are right.)
- Il sait nager. (He knows how to swim.)
- Nous savons la réponse. (We know the answer.)
Yes, 'savoir' is used for knowing how to do something.
No, 'savoir' is not used for knowing people.
'Savoir' is used for knowing facts, information, or how to do something.
How to Use "Connaître"
Connaître is used when you are familiar with or have experience of:
- People (to know someone personally).
- Places (to know a city, a country, a neighborhood).
- Things (to be familiar with a book, a movie, a song).
Examples with Connaître:
- Je connais Marie. (I know Marie.)
- Nous connaissons Paris. (We know Paris.)
- Il connaît bien ce livre. (He knows this book well.)
'Connaître' is used for knowing people in the sense of being familiar with them.
'Connaître' is not used for knowing facts.
'Connaître' is used for familiarity with people, places, and things.
Conjugation Patterns
| Subject | Savoir | Connaître |
|---|---|---|
| Je | sais | connais |
| Tu | sais | connais |
| Il/Elle/On | sait | connaît |
| Nous | savons | connaissons |
| Vous | savez | connaissez |
| Ils/Elles | savent | connaissent |
'Savoir' and 'connaître' are both irregular verbs.
Summary
- Savoir: to know (facts, information, how to do something)
- Connaître: to know/be familiar with (people, places, things)
- Different conjugations for each verb
- Use savoir for knowledge you can state; connaître for experiential familiarity
'Savoir' is used for knowing facts.
'Connaître' is used to express knowing/familiarity with a city.
'Connaître' is used for knowing someone (experiencially). 'Savoir' is not used for that meaning.
You use 'savoir' for knowing how to do something, including driving.
Yes, you use 'connaître' for being familiar with things like books, movies, etc.