Connaître and savoir are two French verbs that every student should get to know well.
Like its distinction between second-person pronouns “tu” and “vous,” French also makes a distinction between two different ways in which the speaker might know something, through the two verbs “savoir” and “connaître.”
“Savoir” is used for facts and information.
For example:
I know that Paris is in France. Je sais que Paris se trouve en France.
I know that two and two is four. Je sais que deux et deux font quatre.
I know that Antoine is is not far away. Je sais qu’Antoine n’est pas loin.
I know how to speak French. Je sais parler français.
“Connaitre” is an irregular verb used to express knowledge or familiarity.
For example:
I know / am familiar with this building. Je connais ce batiment.
I know / am familiar with Paris. Je connais Paris.
I know / am familiar with my best friend. Je connais mon meilleur ami.
Both of these French verbs have somewhat irregular conjugations, so it is important to memorize them so you will use them correctly in context. Their conjugations have some similarities to each other, so this may make them easier for you to remember. In present tense, their conjugations are:
Connaître
Je (I) connais.
Tu (you, singular) connais.
Il / Elle (He / She) connaît.
Nous (We) connaissons.
Vous (You pl.) connaissez.
Ils / Elles (They) connaisent.
Savoir
Je sais.
Tu sais.
Il / Elle sait.
Nous savons.
Vous savez.
Pop Quiz: Choose the Correct French Verb!
1) I know my sister very well. – Je (connais / sais) très bien ma soeur.
2) She knows what I am reading. – Elle (connaît / sait) ce que je lis.
3) We know that the sun is bigger than the earth. – Nous (conaissons / savons) que le soleil est plus grand que la terre.
4) They know their country well. – Ils (connaissent / savent) bien leur patrie.
5) I know this is the right place. – Je (connais / sais) que c’est le bon endroit.
6) You know how to speak five languages. – Tu (connais / sais) parler cinq langues.
7) You know your school quite well. – Vous (connaissez / savez) très bien votre école.
So how do you think you did? Check below for the answers…
1) connais
Normally, “connaître” is more appropriate for knowledge of (or familiarity with) people.
2) sait
What the speaker is reading is (normally) a verifiable fact; he or she can show the title to the other person.
3) savons
Again, this is a scientifically verifiable fact, and scientists and mathematicians have ways to calculate the size of both the earth and the sun.
4) connaissent
A country is a place; usually, in French, one will talk about familiarity with a place.
5) sais
Here, you are not stating your familiarity with a place, but the fact that this place is a specific verifiable place among others – that is, the “right” one. (The right one for what, we aren’t quite sure without more context, but that’s okay.)
6) sais
Though people may disagree about what level you must be in order to count that language among your spoken languages in different situations, speaking at least a few words of a language (or more) is generally considered a verifiable fact here.
7) connaissez
This case is similar to #4. It is, once again, a place. The subject of this sentence has probably spent a lot of time in their school, and is therefore probably pretty familiar with it.
Did you get most of them right? If not, try the French classes at TakeLessons Live to learn more about conjugating both irregular and regular French verbs, or practice with a private French tutor near you. Best of luck on your French learning journey!
Photo by Nazareth College
Suzy S.