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saber vs conocer

English has one “to know”. Spanish splits it into facts and acquaintance, and mixing them up is instantly noticeable.

saber

Facts and skills

  • Sé la respuesta.
  • No sé dónde está.
  • ¿Sabes nadar?
  • Sé que viene.
  • Saber de memoria

conocer

People and places

  • Conozco a María.
  • Conozco Madrid.
  • ¿Nos conocemos?
  • Conocer a alguien
  • Quiero conocer Perú.

Quick answer

saber = facts, information, and how to do something.
conocer = people and places you are acquainted with.

Side by side

Sé quién es Ana.I know who Ana is — a fact.
Conozco a Ana.I know Ana — we have met.

Memory trick

If the answer is information, it is saber. If the answer is a handshake, it is conocer.

Typical mistakes

Sé a María.

Conozco a María.

People are conocer.

Conozco que viene.

Sé que viene.

A fact in a que-clause is saber.

Check yourself

¿___ a mi hermano?

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