Español 2: Saber vs. Conocer
SABER XXXXX nosotros sabemos Yo sé tú sabes sabe saben él/ella/ud. ellos/ellas/uds. saben
Saber = to know facts/info or how to do something *Use SABER . . . When you want to say you know facts or information about something Ejemplo: ¿Sabes si tenemos tarea para mañana? Do you know if we have homework for tomorrow?
Saber = to know facts/info or how to do something *Use SABER . . . 2. You can also use SABER with an Infinitive of another verb to say you know how to do that action of the INF verb. Ejemplo: Yo sé jugar el ajedrez. I know how to play chess.
CONOCER XXXXX nosotros Yo Conozco conocemos tú conoces él/ella/ud. ellos/ellas/uds. conocen
Conocer = to be familiar with/know a person, place or thing *Use CONOCER . . . 1. To say that you are familiar or you know a person, a place or a thing. Ejemplo:¿Conoces al profesor de esta clase? No, no lo conozco. Do you know the teacher for this class? No, I don’t know him. (I’m not familiar with him.)
Conocer = to be familiar with/know a person, place or thing 2. If you want to say you know or are familiar with a person, the “personal” A must be added before the persons name/title Ejemplo: Yo conozco a Maria. I know Maria. (I am familiar with Maria.) *Hint: When you see a “personal A”, this triggers the use of the verb CONOCER.
Hace + time Expressions
To ask how long something has been going on... *Use - ¿Cuánto tiempo hace que + (present tense verb) . . . Ejemplo: ¿Cuánto tiempo hace que eres miembro del club atlético? How long have you been a member of the athletic club?
To tell how long something has been going on... *Use - Hace + period of time + que + present tense verb . . . Ejemplo: Hace 2 años que soy miembro del club atlético. It’s been 2 years since I have been a member of the athletic club. / I have been a member of the club for 2 years.