Savoir vs Connaître: How To Use To Know in French

In French, "savoir" and "connaître" are two tricky verbs that are often confused in English by the verb "to know."

However, in English, there is a subtle distinction that corresponds to the difference between "savoir" and "connaître" in French.

After you read this article you’ll know all you need to know on both verbs ! You can check if the difference between these two verbs is clear with the help of an exercise at the end of the article.

Savoir : To Know in English

 1 - With another verb at the infinitive form

Savoir is used to express knowledge or understanding of information, a fact, a skill, etc Savoir is used when there is another verb involved. When that verb is an infinitive  the English equivalent is "to know how to."

Examples

• Tu sais nager - you can swim ( you know how to swim)

• Est-ce que tu sais utiliser le métro ?- Do you know how to use the subway ?

2 - Used with que, qui, quand

When the other verb is in a subordinate clause ( savoir in that case is followed by que- qui, quand) savoir indicates knowledge of that fact or action.

Examples

• Je sais que tu es américaine - I know that you are American

• Elle sait que John arrive dimanche - She knows that John arrives on Sunday

• Il ne sait pas quand tu arrives - He doen’t know when you arrive

• Je ne sais pas qui cette personne - I don’t know who is this person

Connaître : To Be Familiar With in English

 It is used to express familiarity with a person, a place, a concept, etc Connaître is followed by a noun, which can be a person, place, thing, or a fact (I know [someone]/[something])

Examples

• Je connais Pierre - I know Pierre

• Elle connaît bien Paris - She knows Paris well

• Est-ce que tu connais Laura ? - Do you know Laura ?

• Elle connaît la conjugaison des verbes par cœur - She knows the conjugation of the verbs by heart.

• Ils connaissent la vérité - They know the truth

So, to sum up, "savoir" is used when talking about knowledge or skills, while "connaître" is used when talking about familiarity with people, places, or concepts. Although the translation into English is often "to know" for both, the nuance lies in the context of use.

Exercice savoir vs connaitre

Here is an exercise with the verbs "savoir" and "connaître" in French. Complete the sentences with the appropriate form of the verbs.

1. Hier, il m'a demandé si je ___________ jouer du piano.

2. Nous ___________ un excellent restaurant dans ce quartier.

3. Elle ___________ résoudre des équations mathématiques complexes.

4. Tu ___________ l'adresse de la nouvelle boutique de vêtements ?

5. Ils ___________ parler trois langues étrangères.

6. Mon frère ___________ bien l'auteur de ce livre.

7. Est-ce que vous ___________ nager ?

8. Nous ___________ bien ce professeur depuis plusieurs années.

9. Elle ___________ où se trouve la bibliothèque.

10. Vous ___________ jouer au tennis ?

Réponses :

1. sais

2. connaissons

3. sait

4. sais

5. savent

6. connaît

7. savez

8. connaissons

9. sait

10. savez

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