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Sapere vs. conoscere

Word practice demo
The Italian verbs sapere and conoscere both translate to to know in English, but they are not interchangeable. They describe different types of knowledge: sapere is for facts and skills, while conoscere is for familiarity with people, places, and things.

Sapere

A1
Use sapere to talk about knowing facts, data, or information. It is also used to express knowing how to do something (a skill). It is often followed by a clause (with che, come, quando) or an infinitive verb. In the passato prossimo tense, ho saputo means I found out.
So che domani pioverà.
(I know that it will rain tomorrow.)
Mio padre sa parlare cinque lingue.
(My father knows how to speak five languages.)
Sai a che ora inizia il film?
(Do you know what time the movie starts?)
Non so la risposta a questa domanda.
(I don't know the answer to this question.)
So suonare la chitarra da quando ero bambino.
(I have known how to play the guitar since I was a child.)
Ieri ho saputo che ti sposi.
(Yesterday I found out that you are getting married.)

Conoscere

A1
Use conoscere to express familiarity or acquaintance with a person, a place, or a thing (like a book or a movie). It implies a personal experience or connection. It is almost always followed by a noun. In the passato prossimo tense, ho conosciuto means I met for the first time.
Conosco bene la città di Firenze.
(I know the city of Florence well.)
Conosci mio fratello Luca?
(Do you know my brother Luca?)
Non conosco questo artista, ma mi piace la sua musica.
(I don't know this artist, but I like his music.)
Conosco un ottimo ristorante vicino al mare.
(I know an excellent restaurant near the sea.)
Ho conosciuto mia moglie durante un viaggio in Spagna.
(I met my wife during a trip to Spain.)
So chi è il sindaco, ma non lo conosco personalmente.
(I know who the mayor is, but I don't know him personally.)

Summary

In short, use sapere for knowing facts, information, and how to do things (skills). It's for knowledge you can learn from a book. Use conoscere for being acquainted or familiar with people, places, or things. It's for knowledge gained through personal experience. A simple rule is: sapere is for the mind (intellect), and conoscere is for the senses and experience.