Beginner
4 min readConoscere vs. Sapere
Two verbs for “to know” — one for people and places, one for facts and skills.
Conoscere: familiarity
Use conoscere for people, places, and things you're acquainted with. In the passato prossimo it usually means “met” (for people) or “got to know” (for places and experiences).
- Conosci Marco?Do you know Marco?
- Conosco bene Firenze.I know Florence well.
- Ci siamo conosciuti a Roma.We met in Rome.
Sapere: facts and abilities
Use sapere for information, facts, and — followed by an infinitive — knowing how to do something. It's often followed by che, se, dove, come, quando.
- Sai dov'è la stazione?Do you know where the station is?
- So nuotare.I know how to swim.
- Non lo so.I don't know.
Common mistakes
So Maria.
Conosco Maria.
People take conoscere.
Conosco cucinare.
So cucinare.
Skills (+ infinitive) take sapere.
Test yourself
0 / 4 answered1. ___ mia sorella?
2. Non ___ nuotare.
3. ___ dov'è la stazione?
4. ___ bene Roma.