Spanish Grammar - "Saber" vs. "Conocer"
Spanish grammar lesson 13: "saber" vs. "conocer"
Both verbs mean "to know." What is the difference?
Exercise: Read carefully, listen to, and repeat aloud the following examples.
Saber
- To know (a fact)
Sabemos que sufrió una torcedura. Fue un esguince en el tobillo.
(We know that he suffered a sprain. It was an ankle sprain.)
Sí, ella sabe que es cáncer.
(Yes, she knows that it is cancer.)
En realidad, yo no sabía que iba a requerir puntos.
(Actually, I didn't know that it was going to require stitches.)
- To know how to
Por supuesto que sé colocar un cabestrillo.
(Of course I know how to place a sling.)
Mi papá sabe sacar astillas.
(My father knows how to take out splinters.)
- To find out
Acabamos de saber el diagnóstico.
(We just found out the diagnosis.)
Conocer
- To know (be aquainted with)
Yo conozco a esa señora.
(I know that lady.)
Conocemos ese centro médico. Estuvimos allí el año pasado.
(We know that medical center. We were there last year.)
- To meet (become aquainted with)
Conocí a ese endocrinólogo durante mi entrenamiento.
(I met that endocrinologist during my training.)
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