Saber vs Conocer / Pedir vs. PreguntarNotes:

1. The written lesson is below.2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

In Spanish, there are two verbs that express the idea "to know." These two verbs are "saber" and "conocer." The verb you choose depends upon the context in which it is used. These verbs are not interchangeable.

To express knowledge or ignorance of a fact or information about something, use "saber."

Juan sabe donde está María.Juan knows where Maria is.

Yo no sé tu número de teléfono.I don't know your telephone number.

To say that one is or is not acquainted with a person, a place, or an object, use conocer.

Yo no conozco a María.I don't know (am not acquainted with) Maria.

Alberto y Alfredo conocen Madrid.Alberto and Alfredo know (are acquainted with) Madrid.

To express knowledge or ignorance of a subject or learning discipline, use saber or conocer, depending upon the context.

Juan no sabe nada de inglés.Juan doesn't know any English.

Él sabe matemáticas.He knows mathematics.

Juan conoce la literatura española.Juan is familiar with Spanish literature.

To express knowledge or ignorance of a skill, or how to do something, use saber + infinitive.

María sabe conducir.Maria knows how to drive.

No sé nadar muy bien.I don't know how to swim very well.

To say that you know something by heart, use saber.

María sabe los verbos irregulares.Maria knows the irregular verbs (by heart).

Ella no sabe la letra de esa canción.She doesn't know the words to that song.

The situation with regards to the correct use of saber and conocer can be summarized as follows:

saberto know a fact, to know something thoroughly, to know how to do something

conocerto be acquainted with a person, place, or thing

The same sort of situation exists with respect to the two Spanish verbs pedir and preguntar. They both mean "to ask" but they are not interchangeable. Fortunately, the rules for using them are a bit more straightforward:

pedirto ask for, or request an object, service or favor

Pido más carne.I ask for more meat.

Pedimos ahora.We order now (ask for service).

preguntarto ask a question, or request information

Pregunto qué hora es.I ask what time it is.

Preguntamos a qué hora sirven la cena.We ask what time they serve dinner.

Your verb flashcards should be your constant companions. You should always have them with you, and you should pull them out several times each day, even if you only look at them for a couple of minutes. Now, let's add these two verbs to our growing stack:

Verb FlashcardsComplete List

Saber vs Conocer

saber: to know (facts, information, how to do something, something by heart)conocer: to know (to be familiar with people, places, things)

Pedir vs Preguntar

pedir: to ask (for an object or a service)preguntar: to ask (a question, request information)

Saber vs Conocer; Pedir vs Preguntar: Quiz #1

A. Write the correct verb form, based upon the context of the sentence.

1. Yo a Juan. Somos muy amigos.I know Juan. We're good friends.

2. Busco el libro. ¿ usted dónde está?I'm looking for the book. Do you know where it is?

3. Tengo que llamar a María. ¿ (tú) su número de teléfono?I have to call Maria. Do you know her phone number?

4. Pablo es niño. No conducir.Pablo is a child. He doesn't know how to drive.

5. ¿Quiere hablar bien el español? Es necesario los verbos irregulares.Do you want to speak Spanish well? You must know (by heart) the irregular verbs. (hint: use the infinitive)

6. Pregunta a Juan. Él los resultados.Ask Juan. He knows the results.

7. La chica es muy inteligente. Ya el álgebra.The girl is very intelligent. She already knows algebra.

8. Tengo que ir. ¿ (tú) la hora?I have to leave. Do you know what time it is?

9. El hombre es genio. que dos más dos son cuatro.The man is a genius. He knows that two and two are four.

10. los cuadros de Picasso. Nos gustan.We are familiar with Picasso's paintings. We like them.

11. Ud. y Humberto no bien Acapulco. Es su primera vez en México.You and Humberto aren't familiar with Acapulco. It's your first time to Mexico.

12. Ella es una amiga suya. Ud. que es una señorita inteligente.She is your friend. You know she's an intelligent young lady.

13. Son bilingües. hablar español e inglés.They are bilingual. They know how to speak Spanish and English.

14. Vivo en una choza. No la música moderna.I live in a shack. I'm not familiar with modern music.

15. Vamos a el dinero.We are going to ask for the money.

16. Juan más comida.Juan asks for more food.

17. Voy a a qué hora cierran las puertas.I'm going to ask what time they close the doors.

18. Los niños siempre regalos.The children always ask for presents.

19. María cuándo empieza la fiesta.Maria asks when the party begins.

20. El chico le a la chica ¿cuál es tu número de teléfono?The boy asks the girl for her telephone number.