1. Savoir and Connaitre French 2 Lesson 8B.2 Point de départ
The verbs savoir and connaître both mean to know. The verb you use will depend on the context.

2. Use the verb savoir to say you know factual information.
Savoir (information, information gained through experience or learning.)
Use the verb savoir to say you know factual information.
While talking about facts, the verb savoir may often be followed by que, qui, où, quand, comment, or pourquoi.
savoir + interrogative word
qui
quoi
comment
pourquoi où
quand
que
quel(le)(s) 2

3. savoir alone Je sais! Je ne sais pas. I know! I don’t know.
Use the verb savoir to say how to do something.
Can be used:
savoir alone Je sais! Je ne sais pas.
I know! I don’t know.
savoir que Je sais que tu es français.
I know that you are French.
Je sais que tu m’aimes.
I know that you love me.
savoir si Vous savez si Paul a un vèlo?
Do you know if Paul has a bike? 3

4. Savoir Faire… to know how to do
Savoir Jouer… to know how to play
Ex. Je sais jouer au lacrosse.
Elle sait faire de la gymnastique.

5. The past participle of savoir is su
The past participle of savoir is su. When used in the passé composé, savoir takes a slightly different meaning. 5

6. Connaître
Use the verb connaître to say that you know, have a knowledge of, or are familiar with people.
Use the verb connaître to say that you know, have a knowledge of, or are familiar with places or things. 6

7. The past participle of connaître is connu
The past participle of connaître is connu. When used in the passé composé, connaître has a special connotation. It means met (for the first time).
Reconnaître means to recognize. It follows the same conjugation pattern as connaître. 7