Italian verbs Sapere and Conoscere

This is a very important but also tricky verb. It’s used very often, so you can say that it’s one of those common verbs that you should master and know even if you are a beginner. 

The verb seems nice and easy but it can be misleading because even if in English you simply translate it to the verb TO KNOW in Italian you can confuse it with the verb CONOSCERE which also means TO KNOW and unfortunately the two verbs are not interchangeable because they express different things.

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Do not worry! In this video I will explain the difference and also add many sentences and examples that will help you pin down the difference and correctly use these two verbs in common language. 

Let’s start with SAPERE can better translates to “ to be aware of something”. 

In this case you know of an event, of a fact or of an information. 

It will often be paired with the following words: 

• che
• a che ora
• quando
• come
• dove
• se
• perché

Let’s look at some examples:

• Sai che mia mamma si chiama Rita? – Do you know that my mom’s name is Rita? Sai che ho due gatti? – Do you know that I have two cats?
• Sai che ore sono? – Do you know what time it is?
• Sai quando arriva Giulio? – Do you know when Giulio is arriving?
• Sai dov’è la farmacia più vicina? – Do you know where the closest pharmacy is?
• Non so come risolvere questo problem? – I don’t know how to solve this problem.
• Non so perché non ricordo mai come si chiama! - I don’t know why I can never remember his name.

How do we use CONOSCERE?

Conoscere means to be acquainted with something or someone, this could be a subject, a specific topic, a person, or a place.

It’s used with people, places or things and means having good knowledge of something or someone because you have previously experienced it.

Conoscere is always followed by a noun.

Now this is a good way to remember when you are using SAPERE and CONOSCERE.

So remember that with CONOSCERE you will always need a noun! SAPERE often is followed by a verb.

Let’s analyze some examples together: 

• Conosco la musica rock molto bene – I know rock music (subject) very well.
• Conosci la Sig.ra Bianchi? – Do you know Mrs. Bianchi? (person)
• Conosci Milano? – Do you know Milan? (place)