Sapere vs Conoscere: Two Ways of Saying 'Know'
Tell apart knowing facts and abilities from familiarity with people, places and works.
IT002 · IT · A1 / A2 · grammar, vocabulary
The question
Why do Italians say So nuotare but Conosco Roma?
Sapere commonly expresses knowing information, a fact, or how to do something: So la risposta (I know the answer); So nuotare (I can swim). Conoscere expresses being acquainted or familiar with people, places and subjects: Conosco Lucia; Conosco bene Roma.
Useful patterns
| Meaning | Italian | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| I know the answer. | So la risposta. | sapere + information |
| I know how to cook. | So cucinare. | sapere + infinitive |
| I know your brother. | Conosco tuo fratello. | conoscere + person |
| I know that she is here. | So che è qui. | sapere + clause |
Conoscere can also mean discovering or meeting someone for the first time in context: Ho conosciuto Anna ieri (I met Anna yesterday). Sapere can introduce interrogative clauses: Non so dove sia (I don't know where he/she is), with subjunctive common in some contexts; Non so dov'è is also used.
Common mistake
Avoid *Conosco parlare italiano for 'I know how to speak Italian'. Say So parlare italiano.
Remember
Use sapere for information and abilities, conoscere for acquaintance and familiarity.