Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Vocabulary/To-Know"
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It is sometimes difficult for foreign to know when to use the 2 French verbs "Savoir" et "Connaître". In English, for example those 2 verbs means | It is sometimes difficult for foreign 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? | *'''Connaissez'''-vous cette personne ? = Do you know this person? | ||
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It means "who knows?". | It means "who knows?". | ||
* Il y est déjà peut être allé, qui sait ? = Maybe, he has already been there, who knows? | * Il y est déjà peut être allé, qui sait ? = Maybe, he has already been there, who knows? | ||
=====un je ne sais quoi===== | =====un je ne sais quoi===== | ||
This expression is used to say “I don’t know what”. | 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 je ne sais quoi I liked right away | * Elle avait un certain je ne sais quoi qui m'a tout de suite plu = She had a certain je ne sais quoi I liked right away | ||
==Connaître== | ==Connaître== | ||
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it means you know it perfectly, "like the back of your hand" | 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. | * 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==== | ====Connaître par coeur==== | ||
It means “to know something by heart”. | It means “to know something by heart”. | ||
Revision as of 14:07, 21 May 2016
It is sometimes difficult for foreign 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 je ne sais quoi I liked right away
Connaître
The meaning of “connaître” is closer to “to be familiar with”.
“Connaître” is directly followed by a person, place or thing while “savoir” is followed by an interrogative pronoun or a verb.
To know someone or something personally
- 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
If you have a question about the difference between "savoir" and "connaître", post it here !