contrast.saber-conocer
Saber vs conocer: two kinds of knowing
Saber = facts and skills (sé la respuesta, sé nadar); conocer = familiarity with people, places, works (conozco a Marta, conozco Tarija).
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Erklärung
Spanish has two verbs for 'to know'. Saber is for facts, information, and learned skills: sé la respuesta, sé que viene, sé dónde queda, and with an infinitive sé nadar ('I know how to swim'). Conocer is for familiarity — being acquainted with people, places, and works: conozco a Marta, conozco Tarija, ¿conocés esa novela?
A useful test: if you could answer with a piece of information, it's saber; if you'd answer with an introduction or a visit, it's conocer. Conocer takes the personal a with people (conozco a tu hermano) and doesn't take que + clause — that's saber's job.
In the preterite both shift to a sudden event: supe = 'I found out' (lo supe ayer) and conocí = 'I met for the first time' (la conocí en 2020). So sabía 'I knew' vs supe 'I found out'; conocía 'I was familiar with' vs conocí 'I met'.
Beispiele
Do you know what time they open? — No, but I know the owner.
Region: global
I visited Asunción for the first time last year.
Region: global
I know the city, but I don't know how to get to that address.