29 Qu'est-ce que tu fais ici ?

savoir vs. connaître

Je ne connais pas ses goûts et je ne sais pas ce qu’il aime. I don’t know his tastes and I don’t know what he likes.

Savoir

“Savoir” generally refers to knowing facts, information, or how to do something. ^{1 2} It’s used for:

1. Knowledge of facts or information:

   • Je sais que Paris est la capitale de la France. (I know that Paris is the capital of France.)

2. Knowing how to do something (skills):

   • Je sais nager. (I know how to swim.)

3. Being aware of something:

   • Je sais qu’il pleut dehors. (I know it’s raining outside.)

4. Memorized information:

   • Je sais ma leçon par cœur. (I know my lesson by heart.)

Connaître

“Connaître” is used for being familiar with or acquainted with someone or something. ^{1 2} It’s used for:

1. Knowing a person:

   • Je connais Marie depuis longtemps. (I’ve known Marie for a long time.)

2. Being familiar with a place:

   • Je connais bien cette ville. (I know this city well.)

3. Being familiar with a subject or topic:

   • Il connaît bien l’histoire de France. (He knows French history well.)

4. Recognizing or identifying:

   • Je connais cette chanson. (I know/recognize this song.)

Key Differences

1. Object type: “Savoir” is often followed by “que” (that) or an infinitive, while “connaître” is typically followed by a direct object.

2. Depth of knowledge: “Savoir” implies more factual or skill-based knowledge, while “connaître” suggests familiarity or acquaintance.

3. Negation: In negative form, “ne pas savoir” means “to not know” (lack of knowledge), while “ne pas connaître” means “to not be familiar with” or “to have never met.”

Vocabulaire