When you’re learning Spanish, two verbs often cause confusion: saber and conocer.
In English, both can mean “to know”… but in Spanish, they’re not interchangeable at all!

At Carmen Vega School, this is one of the most common mistakes we hear from beginners.
But don’t worry — once you understand the logic, it all makes perfect sense 👇

🎯 The basic rule

👉 Saber = to know something (a fact, information, or skill)
👉 Conocer = to know someone or something (a person, a place, or an experience)

You can remember it like this:

• Saber → it’s in your head 💭
• Conocer → it’s in your life 🌎

🧠 Saber: for knowledge, information, or abilities

We use saber when we talk about specific, intellectual, or practical knowledge.

Examples:

• Sé la respuesta. → I know the answer.
• ¿Sabes dónde está el baño? → Do you know where the bathroom is?
• No sé cocinar muy bien. → I don’t know how to cook very well.

Notice that these sentences are about facts or skills, not people or places.

💡 Tip: if in English you can say “I know how to + verb” → use saber.

• Sé hablar español. → I know how to speak Spanish.

🌍 Conocer: for people, places, or experiences

We use conocer when we talk about meeting or being familiar with someone or something.

Examples:

• Conozco a María. → I know María.
• ¿Conoces este restaurante? → Do you know this restaurant?
• Quiero conocer Bolivia. → I want to get to know Bolivia.

Here we’re always talking about direct experience or personal contact.

💡 Important: when referring to a person, always use the preposition “a”:

• Conozco a mi profesor. ✅
• Conozco mi profesor. ❌

⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid

• ❌ Sé a tu hermano. → (wrong, because it’s a person)
  ✅ Conozco a tu hermano.
• ❌ Conozco que el museo está cerrado. → (wrong, it’s information)
  ✅ Sé que el museo está cerrado.
• ❌ ¿Sabes a París? → (wrong, it’s a place)
  ✅ ¿Conoces París?

🗣️ In practice

At Carmen Vega School, we love practicing this difference through real conversations:
we ask questions, describe trips, and talk about what we know and who we’ve met.

A typical exchange:

— ¿Sabes bailar salsa?
— Of course! But I don’t know anyone to dance with 😅

🚀 In summary

Situation	Verb	Example	Translation
A fact or information	saber	Sé que vives en Cochabamba.	I know that you live in Cochabamba.
A person	conocer	Conozco a tu hermano.	I know your brother.
A place	conocer	Conozco La Paz.	I know La Paz.
A skill	saber	Sé nadar.	I know how to swim.

❤️ Carmen Vega School’s tip

Don’t try to memorize everything — focus on feeling the difference when you speak.
With practice, your ear will naturally tell you when to use saber or conocer.

And don’t be afraid to make mistakes! It’s by talking, laughing, and sharing that your Spanish truly comes alive 🌞

👉 Want to learn Spanish in a simple, natural, and joyful way?
Join our clases in Cochabamba or online— where learning is also about discovering a culture full of warmth and smiles 🇧🇴