Savoir or connaître? Two ways to know in French
Learn when to use savoir + infinitive or clause for facts and abilities, and connaître + noun for people, places, and works, with clear examples and practice.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
French has two common verbs that both translate as 'to know': savoir and connaître. They are not interchangeable in most contexts. Savoir is used for facts, information, and learned abilities, often followed by an infinitive or a clause with que. Connaître is used for familiarity with people, places, works, and brands. This lesson gives you the core patterns, natural examples, and practice to choose correctly. You will also see where the two verbs can overlap, so you can speak accurately without overgeneralizing.
By the end, you can…
- use savoir + infinitive to say I know how to do something.
- use connaître + noun to say I know a person, place, or work.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je sais nager.
I know how to swim. / I can swim.
zhuh say nah-zhay
Savoir + infinitive expresses a learned skill or ability. The infinitive is nager.
Je sais qu'il habite à Lyon.
I know that he lives in Lyon.
zhuh say keel ah-beet ah lee-ohn
Savoir + que + clause states a fact or piece of information.
Je connais bien Marie.
I know Marie well.
zhuh koh-neh byan mah-ree
Connaître + person means you are acquainted with them, not that you know a fact about them.
Tu connais Paris ?
Do you know Paris? / Have you been to Paris?
tew koh-neh pah-ree
Connaître + place means you are familiar with it or have visited it.
Elle connaît bien ce film.
She knows this film well.
el koh-neh byan suh feelm
Connaître + work (film, book, song) means she is familiar with its content.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Savoir is followed by an infinitive when you mean 'know how to' or 'can' in the sense of ability: Je sais conduire. (I know how to drive.) It is followed by que + a clause when you state a fact: Je sais que tu es là. (I know that you are there.) Connaître is followed by a noun, not an infinitive: Je connais ton frère. (I know your brother.) You cannot say 'Je connais nager' for 'I know how to swim.' Use savoir nager. Similarly, for a fact, use savoir que, not connaître que.
When to use it
Use savoir for information, facts, and abilities: Je sais l'heure. (I know the time.) Je sais où il est. (I know where he is.) Use connaître for familiarity with people, places, works, and brands: Je connais ce restaurant. (I know this restaurant.) Je connais bien Victor Hugo. (I know Victor Hugo's work well.) Some overlap exists: Je connais la réponse and Je sais la réponse both mean 'I know the answer,' though savoir is more common for factual answers. Also, connaître can mean 'to experience' in some contexts: J'ai connu des jours difficiles. (I have known difficult days.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Tu sais faire la cuisine ?
Do you know how to cook?tew say fair lah kwee-zeenOui, je sais faire quelques plats. Tu connais mon frère ?
Yes, I know how to make a few dishes. Do you know my brother?wee, zhuh say fair kel-kuh plah. tew koh-neh mon frehrNon, je ne connais pas ton frère. Mais je sais qu'il travaille à Paris.
No, I don't know your brother. But I know that he works in Paris.non, zhuh nuh koh-neh pah ton frehr. may zhuh say keel trah-vye ah pah-reeExact. Tu connais bien Paris alors ?
Exactly. Do you know Paris well then?eg-zakt. tew koh-neh byan pah-ree ah-lorA little context goes a long way
In French, savoir and connaître are not interchangeable in most everyday situations. Using the wrong one can sound odd, but French speakers will usually understand you from context. In formal writing, the distinction is more strictly observed. In casual speech, you may hear slight variations, but the core patterns remain stable across regions. When in doubt, remember: savoir for facts and skills, connaître for people and places.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je connais nager' to mean 'I know how to swim.'
Try this instead: Use savoir + infinitive: Je sais nager. Connaître cannot be followed directly by an infinitive in this sense. For facts, use savoir que: Je sais qu'il vient. (I know he is coming.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I know how to drive' in French?
Show a sample answer
Je sais conduire.
Savoir + infinitive expresses a learned ability. 'Je connais conduire' is not correct for this meaning.
2How would you say 'Do you know my sister?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Tu connais ma sœur ?
Use connaître for familiarity with a person: Tu connais ma sœur ? Tu sais ma sœur is not a way to express that meaning. For factual knowledge, use a clause or an explicit expression such as Tu sais quelque chose sur ma sœur (You know something about my sister).
3How would you say 'She knows that I am here' in French?
Show a sample answer
Elle sait que je suis là.
Savoir + que + clause states a fact. 'Elle connaît que je suis là' is not standard French.
Use savoir for facts, information, and abilities (savoir + infinitive or que + clause). Use connaître for familiarity with people, places, and works (connaître + noun). When in doubt, ask yourself: is it a fact or a skill? Use savoir. Is it a person or place you are familiar with? Use connaître.
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