Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Vocabulary/To-Know"
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|title=What is the difference between "Savoir" and " | |title=What is the difference between "Savoir" and "Connaitre" in French? | ||
|keywords=know, savoir, connaitre, french | |keywords=know, savoir, connaitre, french | ||
|description=It is difficult to know when to use the 2 French verbs Savoir or | |description=It is difficult to know when to use the 2 French verbs Savoir or Connaitre. In English, for example those 2 verbs both means To know. We explain here how to make the difference. | ||
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Revision as of 22:33, 30 June 2017
It is sometimes difficult for foreigners to know when to use the 2 French verbs "Savoir" et "Connaître".
In English, for example those 2 verbs both means To know:
- Connaissez-vous cette personne ? = Do you know this person?
- Savez-vous ce qu'il est possible de faire ? = Do you know what we can do?
In this article we will teach you in which situations use those 2 verbs.
Savoir
To know how to do something
In French, to say "I know how to do something", you use "je sais" + verb infinitive.
To know who, what or where
- Je ne sais pas ce que tu veux dire = I don’t know what you want to say
- Il sais où je suis = He knows where I am
- Elle sait où le park se trouve = She knows where the park is located
- Je sais d'où il vient = I know who he comes from
Useful expressions
Je n'en sais rien
It means "I have no idea".
Tu sais quoi?
This is a familiar expression meaning “you know what?”. Tu sais quoi ? J’en ai marre ! = You know what? I’m fed up with it!
Qui sait
It means "who knows?".
- Il y est déjà peut être allé, qui sait ? = Maybe, he has already been there, who knows?
Un je ne sais quoi
This expression is used to say “I don’t know what”.
- Elle avait un certain je ne sais quoi qui m'a tout de suite plu = She had a certain “I don’t know what” I liked right away
Connaître
Know someone or something personally
The meaning of “connaître” is closer to "be familiar with” or "know someone or something personally".
Examples:
- Tu connais ce bar ? = Are you familiar with this bar?
- Est-ce que vous connaissez le prix des loyers à Marseille ? = Do you know the rents in Marseille?
Useful expressions
Connaître la musique
This expression means that you are used to something because you've already experienced it many times.
- Merci, ne m'en parle pas, je connais la musique = Don't tell me, I know!
Connaître sur le bout des doigts
it means you know it perfectly, "like the back of your hand"
- Tu es prêt pour le test ? Oui je connais le sujet sur le bout des doigts = Are you ready for the test? Yes, I know the topic like the back of my hand.
Connaître par coeur
It means “to know something by heart”.
- Je connais ma leçon par coeur = I know my lesson by heart
At last, if you have a question about the difference between "savoir" and "connaître", post it here !
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