#020: Sapere and conoscere
Learning the distinction of these two verbs, sapere and conoscere, is very important. While they both mean to know, they refer to different things.
Conoscere means to know but in the sense of: to be acquainted with or familiar with people, places or things.
For example:
Lei conosce Giovanni bene – sono stati amici da 10 anni.
She knows John well – they have been friends for ten years.
Conosco Roma. L’ho visitata dieci volte.
I am familiar with Rome. I visited it 10 times.
Sapere means to know a fact or to to know how to do something (in this sense, sapere is followed by an infinitive):
Sai dove il centro commerciale si trova?
Do you know where the mall is?
So che Roma è la capitale d’Italia.
I know that Rome is the capital of Italy.
I miei bambini sanno leggere.
My children know how to read.
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hello, I found your site through a google search. I am looking for people with whom I can have a more philosphical discussion of the difference between these two ideas “sapere” and “conoscere” because in English, we do not have a firm, distinct analogue for conoscere (seccondome) and I was wondering if you could comment on this further. thank you!
Ciao!
I can elaborate further. I hope this helps.
Sapere means to know in the sense of knowing facts or knowledge. It also signifies know how to do something – such as knowing how to speak Italian, playing chess, knowing how to read.
Conoscere means ‘to know’ in the sense of having a familiarity with something or being acquainted with something:
Do you know Sylvia?
Conosci Sylvia?
Do you know il Ristorante Salvini?
Conosci il ristoranti Salvini?
So the bottom line:
1) If you mean ‘to know’ with regards to facts, how to do something, then use sapere.
2) If you mean ‘to know’ in the sense of familiarity through your experiences or knowing/being acquainted with a person or thing, then use conoscere.
If you have a specific question, please do not hesitate to post it or email me directly.
Thanks,
Keith
What if you want to know were someone lives or you want to say I know were Anna lives. Plus what would you use to say I know I'm smarter then him.
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