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What are differences between connaître and savoir?

The French verbs "connaître" and "savoir" both translate to "to know" in English, but they're used differently depending on the context:

• 1. Usage with People and Places:

- Connaître is used when referring to knowing people, places, or things. It implies familiarity or acquaintance. - Example: "Je connais Marie." (I know Marie.) - Example: "Elle connaît Paris." (She knows Paris.)

• 2. Usage with Information and Skills:

- Savoir is used when referring to knowing facts, information, or knowing how to do something. - Example: "Je sais que la réunion est demain." (I know that the meeting is tomorrow.) - Example: "Il sait jouer du piano." (He knows how to play the piano.)

• 3. Grammatical Construction:

- Connaître is usually followed directly by a noun. - Example: "Tu connais ce livre?" (Do you know this book?) - Savoir can be followed by a standalone fact, a clause beginning with "que," an interrogative, or an infinitive. - Example: "Je sais où il habite." (I know where he lives.) - Example: "Elle sait que tu viens." (She knows that you are coming.)

• 4. Nuance in Familiarity:

- Connaître emphasizes having an experiential or personal relationship with the object of knowledge. - Savoir emphasizes having information or understanding, not necessarily through direct experience.

Understanding these differences helps in selecting the appropriate verb based on the type of knowledge being described.

Can "connaître" ever be used in contexts involving learning or acquiring new skills?

"Connaître" is typically not used in contexts involving learning or acquiring new skills. Instead, it focuses on familiarity or acquaintance with people, places, or things. If you want to discuss learning or acquiring new skills, "savoir" or verbs like "apprendre" (to learn) are more appropriate.

For example, if you are learning to play an instrument or acquiring a new skill, you would use "apprendre" or refer to the skill with "savoir" to indicate you know how to do it:

• ➜ "J'apprends à jouer du piano." (I am learning to play the piano.)
• ➜ "Je sais jouer du piano." (I know how to play the piano.)

In summary, "connaître" isn't used in the context of acquiring new skills; instead, it describes being familiar with something through prior experience.

Can you use "savoir" for a person or a place?

"Savoir" is not typically used for knowing people or places directly. Instead, it is used for knowing facts, information, or how to do something. For people or places, "̲c̲o̲n̲n̲a̲î̲t̲r̲e̲"̲ ̲i̲s̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲a̲p̲p̲r̲o̲p̲r̲i̲a̲t̲e̲ ̲v̲e̲r̲b̲.̲ Here's how you would express these ideas:

☆ To say you know a person:

• ➜ Correct: "Je connais Pierre." (I know Pierre.)
• ➜ Incorrect: "Je sais Pierre."

☆ To say you know a place:

• ➜ Correct: "Je connais Lyon." (I know Lyon.)
• ➜ Incorrect: "Je sais Lyon."

★ Remember, "savoir" is used when you know facts about a person or a place rather than being acquainted with them:

• ➜ Example with a fact about a person: "Je sais que Pierre est médecin." (I know that Pierre is a doctor.)
• ➜ Example with a fact about a place: "Je sais que Lyon est en France." (I know that Lyon is in France.)