Verbs Saber and Conocer - Verbos Saber y Conocer
There are two verbs that mean “to know” in Spanish: saber and conocer. Each one has a different use.
This lesson includes information on:
- Saber
- Conocer
- Related Vocabulary
Saber is used to express knowledge of information, abilities or facts. For example, “I know your address" or "They know how to dance.”
| Spanish | English Translation |
| Yo sé la dirección. | I know how the address. |
| Tú sabes cocinar. |
You (informal) know how to cook. |
| Usted/él/ella sabe el número de
teléfono. |
You (formal)/he/she knows the telephone number. |
| Nosotros sabemos leer. |
We know how to reed. |
| Ustedes/ellos/ellas saben hablar español. | They know how to speak Spanish. |
2. Conocer
Conocer is used to express knowledge of in the sense of being acquainted with or recognizing. Conocer is always used to express knowledge of places or people. For example, "She knows (has been to) Tikal", or "We know Juan.”
| Spanish | English Translation |
| Yo conozco
la maestra pero no sé
su nombre. |
I know the tutor but I don't know her name. |
| Tú conoces la escuela PROBIGUA. | You (informal) know the school PROBIGUA. |
| Usted/él/ella conoce la biblioteca. |
You (formal)/he/she knows the library. |
| Nosotros conocemos la librería. | We know the bookstore. |
| Ustedes/ellos/ellas conocen el café Internet. | They knowthe internet café. |
3. Related Vocabulary
| Spanish | English Translation |
| Saber | To know |
| Yo sé | I know |
| Tú sabes | You know |
| Usted sabe | You (formal) know |
| El/Ella sabe | He/She knows |
| Nosotros sabemos | We know |
| Ustedes saben | You (plural) know |
| Ellos/Ellas saben | They know |
| ¿Sabes tú la dirección de Probigua? | Do you know the address of Probigua? |
| Sí, yo sé. 6ª. Av. 41B Norte en Antigua, Guatemala | Yes, I know it. It is 6th Ave. 41B North in Antigua, Guatemala. |
| Cocinar | To cook |
| Bailar | To dance |
| Hablar una lengua | To speak a language |
| Nadar | To swim |
| Patinar | To skate |
| Esquiar | To ski |
| Leer | To read |
| Cantar | To sing |
| Tocar un instrumento (piano, guitarra, etc.) | To play an instrument (piano, guitar, etc.) |
| Usar la computadora | To use a computer |
| La dirección | The address |
| El número de teléfono | The telephone number |
| El nombre | The name |
| La historia | The story/history |
| El secreto | The secret |
| Conocer | To know |
| Yo conozco | I know |
| Tú conoces | You (informal) know |
| Usted conoce | You (formal) know |
| Él/ella conoce | He/She knows |
| Nosotros conocemos | We know |
| Ustedes conocen | You (plural) know |
| Ellos/Ellas conocen | They know |
| ¿Conoces la escuela Probigua? | Do you know the school Probigua? |
| Sí yo conozco la escuela, es grande. | Yes, I know the school; it's big. |
| El restaurante | The restaurant |
| La tienda | The store |
| El parque | The park |
| La biblioteca | The library |
| El café Internet | The internet café |
| La librería | The bookstore |
| El supermercado | The supermarket |
| El mercado | The market |
| La oficina | The office |
| La escuela | The school |
| La iglesia | The church |
| La municipalidad | The government of the city/town |
| La oficina de correos | The post office |
| La zapatería | The shoe store |
| La carnecería | The butcher shop |
| La tienda de ropa | The clothing store |
| La clínica médica | The medical clinic |
| La clínica dental | The dental clinic |
| El hospital | The hospital |
| La casa | The house |
| El edificio | The building |
| La farmacia | The pharmacy |
| La cultura | The culture |
| La historia | The history/the story |
| Las debilidades | Weaknesses |
| La fortaleza | Fortress/Strengths |
| El volcán | The volcano |
| El lago | The lake |
| La ciudad | The city |
| El museo | The museum |
| El pueblo | The town |
| A la persona | A person |
| A animales | Animals |
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Hay dos verbos que significan “to know”: saber y conocer. Cada uno tiene diferente uso. Saber se utiliza para expresar una información superficial, habilidades, hechos, etc. Por ejemplo, “Yo sé tu dirección. Ellos saben bailar.” Conocer se usa para expresar conocimiento profundo de algo, de personas, de lugares, y de cosas. Por ejemplo, “Yo conozco la historia de Guatemala. Ella conoce Tikal. Nosotros conocemos a Juan.”