1. To know = Savoir ou Connaître ?
Part 1 - Savoir
Students are often put off by the verbs Savoir and Connaître since they both mean to know in
English. If this makes you feel better, we have the same problem with Parler (which is either to
speak or to talk) or Dire (which is either to say or to tell).
Use the verb Savoir to express :
1. To know that ...
If you can add that after the verb in English then it is definitively Savoir
Example : I know he doesn’t like kids = I know (that) he doesn’t like kids
=> je sais qu’ il n’aime pas les enfants
2. To know a fact (to have the information)
Example : Do you know where she is ? (Do you have this information ?)
=> Est-ce que tu sais où elle est ?
3. To know how + infinitive => Can (have a skill)
Although in English, you would probably use can, bear in mind that if you mean can as
in to know how, in French you will have to use the verb Savoir
Example : Can you cook? (Do you know how?)
=> Est-ce que tu sais cuisiner ?