Savoir vs. Connaître
The Ultimate Guide to "To Know" in French + Generator
Mastering the Two Verbs for "To Know"
The distinction between **Savoir** and **Connaître** is one of the most important hurdles for French learners. While both translate to "to know" in English, they describe two very different types of knowledge.
Verb 1: Connaître (To Be Familiar With)
Use Case: Personal Familiarity or Acquaintance
Use **Connaître** when the object is a **person, a place, or a physical thing/concept** you have direct, personal experience or familiarity with.
- **People:** *Je **connais** ton frère.* (I have met him.)
- **Places:** *Tu **connais** Paris.* (You have been there.)
- **Things:** *Elle **connaît** cette chanson.* (She is familiar with it.)
Verb 2: Savoir (To Know a Fact, Skill, or Information)
Use Case: Intellectual Knowledge, Facts, or Skills
Use **Savoir** when the object is **a fact, a piece of information, or an ability/skill**.
- **Skills/Ability:** *Nous **savons** nager.* (Savoir + Infinitive = knowing how to.)
- **Facts/Information:** *Je **sais** où tu habites.* (Savoir + *que*, *quoi*, *où*, *comment*.)
- **Truths:** *Il **sait** que c'est difficile.* (Knowing a clause/truth.)
Quick Reference Table: Conjugations (Présent)
| Subject | Savoir (Facts/Skills) | Connaître (People/Places) |
|---|---|---|
| Je | sais | connais |
| Tu | sais | connais |
| Il/Elle/On | sait | connaît |
| Nous | savons | connaissons |
| Vous | savez | connaissez |
| Ils/Elles | savent | connaissent |
Savoir/Connaître Worksheet Generator
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Quick Decision Guide
1. **If followed by an Infinitive or a Subordinating Conjunction (que, où, comment):** Use **Savoir**.
2. **If followed by a Direct Noun (person, place, thing):** Use **Connaître**.