savoir / connaître

Two Verbs for to Know: Savoir and Connaitre

Level 2

Savoir = Facts, information, or 'knowing how' to do something.
Connaître = Familiarity with a person, place, or object.

How It Works

In French, the English verb 'to know' is split into two distinct concepts:

1. Savoir (Facts, Skills, and Memorized Data)
Use savoir when you know a piece of information or have a learned ability. It is typically followed by:

  • An infinitive: Je sais nager (I know how to swim).
  • A subordinate clause: (starting with que, si, où, quand, pourquoi, qui, comment): Je sais qu'il est là; Je sais qui vient.
  • A noun (specific data): When the noun is a fact learned by heart, like an address or a poem (Je sais mon adresse).
  • Nothing: It can stand alone (Je sais !).

2. Connaître (Familiarity and Subjects)
Use connaître when you are familiar with something or someone. It must be followed by a direct object.

  • People and Places: Je connais Marie; Tu connais Paris ?
  • Subjects/Fields: Use it for academic domains (Il connaît la chimie).
  • Languages: Use connaître for the language as a whole (Je connais le français), but use savoir for the skill of speaking it (Je sais parler français).

Tense Nuances:

  • In the passé composé: J'ai su means 'I found out' (a sudden event), while J'ai connu means 'I met' for the first time.
  • In the imparfait: These verbs describe states. Je savais means 'I knew' (I was aware of the fact), and Je connaissais means 'I knew' (I was already familiar with the person or place).

Examples (6)

  1. Je sais que la réunion est à dix heures.

    I know that the meeting is at ten o'clock.

    Word by Word: I know that the meeting is at ten hours.

    Use 'savoir' because it introduces a fact (the time of the meeting) using 'que'.

  2. Est-ce que tu connais un bon restaurant ici ?

    Do you know a good restaurant here?

    Word by Word: Is it that you know a good restaurant here?

    Use 'connaître' because you are asking about familiarity with a place (a restaurant).

  3. Elle sait parler trois langues.

    She knows how to speak three languages.

    Word by Word: She knows to speak three languages.

    Use 'savoir' followed by an infinitive to express a learned skill.

  4. Je ne connais pas cet homme.

    I don't know this man.

    Word by Word: I [negation] know not this man.

    Use 'connaître' for people. You are not 'acquainted' with him.

  5. Nous savons où il habite.

    We know where he lives.

    Word by Word: We know where he lives.

    Use 'savoir' because it is followed by an interrogative word (où) introducing information.

  6. Il connaît bien la chimie.

    He knows chemistry well.

    Word by Word: He knows well the chemistry.

    Use 'connaître' for familiarity with a subject or field of study.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'connaître' to introduce a fact with 'que'.

    Je connais qu'il est français.
    Je sais qu'il est français.

    'Connaître' can only be followed by a noun or pronoun. To introduce a clause with 'que', you must use 'savoir'.

  • Using 'savoir' for people.

    Je sais Marie.
    Je connais Marie.

    To say you know a person, you must use 'connaître' (to be acquainted with).

  • Adding 'comment' (how) for simple skills.

    Je sais comment nager.
    Je sais nager.

    In French, 'savoir' + infinitive already implies 'knowing how to.' Adding 'comment' is usually redundant and sounds unnatural for basic skills.

Words in This Pattern

savoirconnaitre