Irregular Verbs - savoir vs. connaître

Explication - savoir and connaître are irregular verbs used in different contexts or to describe different degrees of knowledge. Savoir is used for facts, things known by heart, or abilities. When followed by an infinitive, savoir indicates knowing how to do something:

Je sais jouer de la guitare.

Connaître is used for people and places and represents a personal acquaintance or familiarity.

Learning the differences between savoir and connaître can be tricky. It is important to think about context when deciding which verb is appropriate to use.

Forms

Before moving into the details of how these two verbs communicating "knowing" in French, be sure that you know their conjugations and how to pronounce them. Repeat what you hear.

Examples of savoir and connaître

Que faire ? - Look at the table below and be sure to scroll over the sentences for explanations.

savoir vs. connaître
L'infinitif	En français	En anglais	Explanation
savoir	Je sais où se trouve la banque.	I know where the bank is.	This sentence includes a clause. Thus, you use savoir. It's a fact that you know where the bank is.
connaître	Nous connaissons bien ce quartier.	We know this neighborhood well.	This sentences expresses familiarity with the neighborhood (place). Thus, you use connaître.
savoir	Il sait que tu vas au Sénégal en avion.	He knows that you are going to Senegal by plane.	This sentence includes a clause. Thus, you use savoir. The word que indicates the clause piece to this sentence.
connaître	Elle connaît la théorie d'Einstein.	She knows Einstein's theory.	Use connaître when talking about knowing theories or a movement of ideas. A theory can be debated and they do sometimes change when new information comes to be known. They are facts (for now), but maybe not forever.
savoir	Je sais jouer de la flûte.	I know how to play the flute.	This sentence expresses knowing how to do something - in this instance playing the flute. Thus, you use savoir.
connaître	Connais-tu mes parents ?	Do you know my parents?	You always use connaître with people.
savoir	Je ne sais pas à quelle heure part le train.	I don't know what time the train leaves.	What time the train departs is a fact and plus you see que to indicate a clause. Thus, you use savoir.
connaître	Connaissez-vous un bon restaurant à Toulouse?	Do you know a good restaurant in Toulouse?	This sentences expresses familiarity with a restaurant, which can be thought of as a place. Thus, you use connaître.
savoir	Je sais qu'un kilo de tomates coûte entre 2 et 3 euros.	I know that a kilo of tomatoes costs between 2 and 3 euros.	This sentence includes a clause. Thus, you use savoir. Note: que + un = qu'un
connaître	Elles connaissent la musique de Céline Dion.	They are familiar with Céline Dion's music.	This sentence expresses familiarity with music. Music is not a fact per se. It is a type of art or a medium for ideas. Thus, you use connaître.

Practice Activities

Que faire ? - Complete the following matching activity to check your comprehension of savoir vs. connaître.

Activity 1:

Activity 2: