Saber vs Conocer – Know (facts) vs Know (people/things)
In Spanish, saber and conocer both translate as "to know," but they apply in different situations: saber is for knowing facts, information, or how to do something, while conocer is for being familiar with people, places, or things.
Saber
Use saber when referring to knowledge of facts, pieces of information, or when you know how to do something. It can be followed by data, questions, or infinitives that express skills.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Yo sé la receta de la paella. | I know the recipe for paella. | Fact/skill |
| 🌍 Ella sabe dónde está la Alhambra. | She knows where the Alhambra is. | Piece of information |
| 📅 Nosotros sabemos cuándo empieza la fiesta. | We know when the party starts. | Time/date |
| 🎨 ¿Sabes cómo se hace el flamenco? | Do you know how flamenco is done? | Procedure/method |
| 🔢 Ellos saben contar hasta cien en español. | They know how to count to one hundred in Spanish. | Learned ability |
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Expressions
| Spanish Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌟 Saber de | To have heard about / to know of |
| 📢 Saberlo de primera mano | To know it firsthand |
| 💡 Dar a saber | To make known / to announce |
| 🤫 Quedarse con saber | To remember / retain information |
| 🔍 Saber con certeza | To know for sure |
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Conocer
Use conocer to express familiarity or acquaintance with people, places, or things. It often refers to experience rather than factual knowledge and is commonly followed by nouns.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 🍷 Conozco un buen vino de La Rioja. | I know a good wine from La Rioja. | Familiar with a product |
| 🏠 ¿Conoces la casa de tu amigo en Madrid? | Do you know your friend’s house in Madrid? | Familiar with place |
| 👩 Ella conoce a la profesora de francés. | She knows the French teacher. | Person acquaintance |
| 🎶 Conocemos a la banda que toca en la plaza. | We know the band that plays in the square. | Recognize group |
| 🗺️ Conozco bien las calles de Barcelona. | I know the streets of Barcelona well. | Familiarity with area |
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Expressions
| Spanish Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🤝 Conocer de vista | To know by sight |
| 🌟 Hacerse conocer | To make oneself known |
| 🧑🤝🧑 Dar a conocer | To announce / publicize |
| 👥 Conocerse como la palma de la mano | To know each other very well |
| 🎭 Conocer el cuento | To know the story / to be aware of the situation |
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Summary
Remember: use saber for facts and skills, and use conocer for people and familiar things. Switching them changes the meaning, so choose the verb that matches whether you mean learned information (saber) or personal acquaintance (conocer).
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025