Topic arcade · Spanish grammar
Saber vs Conocer, learned by playing
Both mean "to know". Saber is for facts and skills you hold in your head. Conocer is for people, places and things you are familiar with. Learn the difference the way it sticks: fast, repeated, with the rule shown after every answer and the sentence spoken aloud. 64 real sentences, two arcade games, no sign-up.
The idea in one minute
Ask what you know. If it is a fact, an answer or how to do something, it is SABER. If it is a person, a place or a thing you are familiar with, it is CONOCER, and a person needs the personal "a".
Facts, information, skills, things known by heart.
- Facts and answers: Yo sé la respuesta. — I know the answer.
- Knowing how to: Mi hermano sabe nadar. — My brother knows how to swim.
- Where, when, why, if: ¿Tú sabes qué hora es? — Do you know what time it is?
- Know by heart: Mi hermana sabe la dirección de memoria. — My sister knows the address by heart.
People, places, works, and meeting someone for the first time.
- People you know: Yo conozco a tu hermano. — I know your brother.
- Places you know: Yo conozco muy bien la Ciudad de México. — I know Mexico City very well.
- Familiar with a thing: Yo conozco ese libro. — I know that book.
- Meeting someone: Mañana yo conozco a tu familia. — Tomorrow I meet your family.
Play it
A good order: start with Rush to build the reflex, then Slice to see the words side by side. The classic quiz is a calm way to check yourself.
Saber or Conocer Rush
Sentences fall toward two bins. Send each one to SABER or CONOCER before it lands, and see the rule every time.
Saber or Conocer Slice
Four verb forms fly up and one fits the blank. Slice the right form of saber or conocer and see the rule each time.
Saber vs Conocer
Saber or conocer? Pick the right verb for each sentence, a calm multiple-choice check.
Same sentence, different verb
The verb changes what you are saying you know.
| SABER | CONOCER |
|---|---|
| Sé quién es Ana. I know who Ana is (the fact). | Conozco a Ana. I know Ana (I have met her). |
| Sé la ciudad de memoria. I know the city by heart. | Conozco la ciudad. I know the city (I have been there). |
| Sé tocar el piano. I know how to play the piano. | Conozco ese piano. I know that piano (I am familiar with it). |
Questions
What is the difference between saber and conocer?
Both mean 'to know', but they know different things. Saber is for facts, information and skills you hold in your head: sé la respuesta, sabe nadar, sé dónde vive. Conocer is for familiarity with people, places and things you have met or been to: conozco a tu hermano, conoce Madrid, conocemos ese libro.
When do I use the personal 'a' with conocer?
Use a before a person you know: conozco a Ana, conoce a mis padres. It is not used for places or things: conozco Lima, conozco ese libro.
Can conocer mean 'to meet'?
Yes. Conocer a alguien can mean getting to know someone for the first time: mañana conozco a tu familia. In the past, conocí a Ana means I met Ana, while sabía and supe change meaning in the same way with saber.
Which game should I start with?
Start with Saber or Conocer Rush to build the reflex, then try Saber or Conocer Slice, where four verb forms fly up and you slice the one that fits. The classic quiz is a calm way to check yourself.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
It is free and plays in your browser with no sign-up. Sign in only if you want to save your results and add sentences to your review deck.
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