There are two verbs in French that mean “to know” in English. The two verbs are “savoir” and “connaître.” Knowing when to use “savoir” and when to use “connaître” should not be difficult if you understand the subtle difference between the two concepts of “knowing.”
In short, the verb “savoir” is used to describe knowledge of facts, concepts, skills, abilities, etc.
On the other hand, the verb “connaître” is used to describe recognition or familiarity with a person, a place, or an object, including a movie, a site, a brand, etc.
When referring to a language, one could use either “savoir” or “connaître.” The difference is that “Je connais le français” indicates that you know some French or that you are familiar with the language, whereas “Je sais le français” or “Je sais parler français” indicates that you know French well enough to speak it.
Conjugation
Below is a reminder of the present tense conjugation of both verbs.
| savoir | connaître | |
| je | sais | connais |
| tu | sais | connais |
| il/elle/on | sait | connait |
| nous | savons | connaissons |
| vous | savez | connaissez |
| ils/elles | savent | connaissent |
Examples
Here are some examples that use the verbs “savoir” and “connaître” and highlight the difference:
| “savoir” and “connaître” Examples | Explanation |
| Sais-tu s’il y a quelqu’un à l’intérieur? Do you know if there is someone inside? | When referring to a fact (whether someone is inside or not), use “savoir.” |
| Elle ne sait pas nager. She doesn’t know how to swim. | When referring to a skill, use “savoir.” |
| Je ne sais pas où il y a une école. I don’t know where there is a school. | When referring to a fact (whether a school exists nearby), use “savoir.” |
| Je ne connais pas très bien la ville. I don’t know the city very well. | When referring to recognizing a place, use “connaître.” |
| Ils ne connaissent pas mes parents. They don’t know my parents. | When referring to recognizing a person, use “connaître.” |
| Connaissez-vousce film? Do you know that movie? | When referring to recognizing a movie, use “connaître.” |
| Connaissez-vousl’anglais? (or) Savez-vousl’anglais? Do you know English? | When referring to a language, use “connaître” or “savoir.” |
“Connaître” meaning “To Enjoy” or “To Experience”
The verb “connaître” is used to mean “to experience” or “to enjoy” when referring to the figurative meaning of both concepts, for example:
| L’économie a connu une forte croissance. | The economy has experienced strong growth. |
| Le pays connaît quatre saisons. | The country enjoys four seasons. |
“To know each other” using “Connaître”
The verb “connaître” is used to refer to the reciprocal act of knowing each other, for example:
| Nous nous connaissons[1] très bien. | We know each other very well. |
| Ils ne se connaissent[1] pas. | They don’t know each other. |
[1] More on the use of reflexive verbs in Level IV, Lesson 3.
Next: Indefinite Adjectives & Pronouns
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