Savoir vs connaître
Two ways to know
English has one verb to know. French has two, and they're not interchangeable.
Savoir: facts and skills
Use savoir to know a fact, information, or how to do something:
- Je sais que tu as raison.I know (that) you're right.
- Tu sais où il habite ?Do you know where he lives?
- Je ne sais pas pourquoi.I don't know why.
- Elle sait nager.She can swim (knows how to swim).
- Je sais la réponse.I know the answer.
Savoir is followed by que, a question word (où, quand, pourquoi, si…), an infinitive, or a fact.
Connaître: familiarity
Use connaître to know (be acquainted with) a person, a place, or a thing like a book or a film. It's always followed by a noun.
- Je connais Marie.I know Marie.
- Tu connais Paris ?Do you know Paris?
- Je connais ce restaurant.I know this restaurant.
- Il connaît bien la musique classique.He knows classical music well.
Conjugations
| savoir | connaître | |
|---|---|---|
| je | sais | connais |
| tu | sais | connais |
| il / elle | sait | connaît |
| nous | savons | connaissons |
| vous | savez | connaissez |
| ils / elles | savent | connaissent |
Passé composé meanings
- J'ai su la vérité hier.I found out the truth yesterday.
- J'ai connu ma femme à Lyon.I met my wife in Lyon.
For skills, use savoir, not pouvoir: Je sais conduire (I can drive, I know how), Je peux conduire (I'm able/allowed to drive right now).
Practice
- Je _____ conduire.Options: sais · connais
Show the answer
sais
- Tu _____ mon frère ?Options: connais · sais
Show the answer
connais
- Nous _____ qu'il est malade.Options: savons · connaissons
Show the answer
savons
- Vous _____ ce restaurant ?Options: connaissez · savez
Show the answer
connaissez
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.