What is the difference between saber and conocer?

Question

You can provide some examples in español!

Answer 1

Saber is used to express information or facts that you know; whereas Conocer is used to express people or places that you know. Think of the difference as head knowledge vs heart knowledge. When using Conocer, it implies that you are personally familiar/ have personal experience and interaction with a person or place. It can also be used to refer to works of art that you are personally acquainted with.

Saber:

Yo sé que la clase es importante. = "I know that the class is important." - This is sharing a piece of information.

¿Tú sabes esquiar? = "Do you know how to ski? - This is asking about knowledge and abilities.

Nosotros sabemos que La Ciudad de México es muy grande. = "We know that Mexico City is very big. - This is a factual piece of information that we "know."

Conocer:

Yo conozco a Juan. = "I know Juan." - using Conocer impies I've met him and am personally familiar with him.

¿Uds. conocen la ciudad de Nueva York? = "Do you guys know New York City." - asking about someone's personal familiarity with NYC, meaning have they been there and have personal experience in the city

Maria conoce el arte de Picasso. = "Maria knows Picasso's art." - We use Conocer here because she is personally acquainted with the art, and "knows" it on a personal level.

Answer 2

SABER is used with facts and information,or to express that you know how to do something.

Examples:

Yo sé las respuestas del examen de matemáticas.

La profesora no sabe cuál es mi nombre.

Mi esposa sabe mi fecha de nacimiento.

Los estudiantes saben quién es el descubridor de América.

Tú sabes el nombre de la profesora.

Las niñas saben nadar muy bien.

CONOCER is used with people, places, or things.

Examples:

Yo conozco Madrid.

Tú no conociste a Gabriel García Márquez.

Los niños no conocen el Museo de los Niños en Bogotá.

Yo no conozco el libro que escribiste.