Savoir et Connaitre
Savoir/Connaître
“Savoir” and “connaître” both mean “To know” and students often use them interchangeably. This post will enable you to learn the present tense of both verbs and you will find out when to use “savoir” as opposed to “connaître”.
Savoir
| Je sais | → | I know |
| Tu sais | → | you know |
| Il/elle/on sait | → | he/she knows/we know |
| Nous savons | → | we know |
| Vous savez | → | you know |
| Ils/elles savent | → | they know |
Connaître
| Je connais | → | I know |
| Tu connais | → | you know |
| Il/elle/on connait | → | he/she knows/we know |
| Nous connaissons | → | we know |
| Vous connaissez | → | you know |
| Ils/elles connaissant | → | they know |
Savoir
To know + question/interrogative expression
e.g.
- où, pourquoi, qui, avec qui, quand etc.
- tu sais où ils habitent?
- savez-vous à quelle heure le train arrive?
- sais-tu pourquoi Jean a dit ça?
Savoir + verb
“Knowing how to…”
e.g.
- je sais danser
- il sait nager
- elle sait écrire
Savoir (on it’s own)
e.g.
- tu sais qu’elle part en France?
- oui, je sais.
Connaître
“To know” + people and places
It has the idea of being personally familiar with, of having experienced it yourself.
It is always followed by a noun.
e.g.
- Tu connais Marie?
Do you know Marie?
- Vous connaissez Londres?
Do you know London?
Meaning “Have you personally been here?”
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