{"id":70551,"date":"2020-09-01T00:10:16","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T04:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/conoscere-vs-sapere\/"},"modified":"2025-01-25T05:42:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T10:42:51","slug":"conoscere-vs-sapere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/italian\/conoscere-vs-sapere\/","title":{"rendered":"Conoscere vs. Sapere in Italian: The Two Verbs of Knowing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know there are two ways to say “to know” in Italian?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Italian, conoscere<\/em> (to know) and sapere<\/em> (to know) are both used quite commonly. You\u2019ll find them in what you read<\/a> and what you hear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And eventually, you’ll also use these verbs when you write and speak. Read on to get started.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Understanding When to Use Conoscere\u00a0<\/em>vs. Sapere<\/em><\/h2>\n

Conoscere\u00a0<\/em>is used to convey knowledge of things, people and places, while\u00a0sapere\u00a0<\/em>is used to describe information and facts.<\/p>\n

So if you know a person or what the latest celebrity gossip is, use conoscere.\u00a0<\/em>If you know the date of an event or how to find the train station, use sapere.<\/em><\/p>\n

When To Use Conoscere<\/em><\/h2>\n

To know something<\/h3>\n

If you know something to be true, use conoscere<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Conosce la verit\u00e0.<\/em> (He knows the truth.)<\/p>\n

Conosce le misure precise.<\/em> (She knows the exact measurements.)<\/p>\n

To have knowledge about an issue<\/h3>\n

Conoscere<\/em> is the verb to use when you are knowledgeable about a specific topic.<\/p>\n

Conosce l\u2019intera storia.<\/em> (He knows the whole story.)<\/p>\n

Conosce l’opera?<\/em> (Does he know about the opera?)<\/p>\n

To know a particular person<\/h3>\n

When you want to talk about how you know someone, use\u00a0conoscere<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Loro conoscono tuo cugino!<\/em> (They know your cousin!)<\/p>\n

Mia madre conosce tua madre.<\/em> (My mother knows your mother.)<\/p>\n

To have had a personal experience<\/h3>\n

When you want to relay a personal experience or discuss someone else’s personal experiences, use the verb conoscere<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Conosco molto bene Los Angeles perch\u00e9 ci vivevo una volta.<\/em> (I know Los Angeles very well because I once lived there.)<\/p>\n

Loro conoscono il balletto perch\u00e9 sono ballerini.<\/em> (They know ballet because they are dancers.)<\/p>\n

To know people, places and things<\/h3>\n

Conoscere<\/em> is the verb to use when you wish to discuss people, places or things.<\/p>\n

Conosciamo quella donna, ma non so il suo nome.<\/em> (We know that woman but I don\u2019t know her name.)<\/p>\n

Tu sai l\u2019italiano molto bene.<\/em> (You know the Italian language very well.)<\/p>\n

Sa tutto della Germania.<\/em> (He knows all about Germany.)<\/p>\n

When to Use Sapere<\/em><\/h2>\n

To know a fact, data and information<\/h3>\n

When you need to state something factual, data-related or information, use the verb sapere<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Sanno parlare molte lingue.<\/em> (They know how to speak many languages.)<\/p>\n

So come trovare il parco.<\/em> (I know how to find the park.)<\/p>\n

Sa quando arriver\u00e0 il pacco.<\/em> (He knows when the package will arrive.)<\/p>\n

Sa quando si terr\u00e0 la festa.<\/em> (She knows when the party will be held.)<\/p>\n

Sa pilotare un aereo.<\/em> (She knows how to fly a plane.)<\/p>\n

To know proper names<\/h3>\n

Sapere<\/em> is used when discussing proper names.<\/p>\n

So che \u00e8 la Statua della Libert\u00e0.<\/em> (I know that is the Statue of Liberty.)<\/p>\n

Sai che non \u00e8 l’Europa!<\/em> (You know that is not Europe!)<\/p>\n

To have an awareness<\/h3>\n

Use sapere<\/em> to indicate emotional awareness of an issue.<\/p>\n

Sa come ci si sente ad essere felici.<\/em> (He knows how it feels to be happy.)<\/p>\n

Sanno com’\u00e8 essere tristi.<\/em> (They know how it is to be sad.)<\/p>\n

Conoscere<\/em> vs. Sapere<\/em> Conjugation Forms<\/h2>\n

Both conoscere<\/em> and sapere<\/em> are irregular -ere<\/em> verbs.<\/p>\n

This means that the ordinary conjugation rules for that type of verb don\u2019t apply.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s check out the conjugations for these important Italian verbs now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
<\/td>Conoscere<\/i><\/b><\/th>Sapere<\/i><\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
io<\/i><\/b><\/td>conosco<\/i> <\/td>so<\/i> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tu<\/i><\/b><\/td>conosci<\/i> <\/td>sai<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lui \/ lei<\/i><\/b><\/td>conosce<\/i> <\/td>sa<\/i> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
noi<\/i><\/b><\/td>conosciamo<\/i> <\/td>sappiamo<\/i> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
voi<\/i><\/b> <\/td>conoscete<\/i> <\/td>sapete<\/i> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
loro<\/i><\/b> <\/td>conoscono<\/i> <\/td>sanno<\/i> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Where to Practice Conoscere<\/em> vs. Sapere<\/em><\/h2>\n

To truly master these verbs, you need to use them consistently. Here\u00a0are some fun, engaging and beneficial resources to help you nail down conoscere<\/em> vs. sapere<\/em>.<\/p>\n