Skip to content
ShadowLearn by engaging
French ShadowLanguages on ShadowMore from FrenchPodcast

A2 French Word Pair

Savoir vs Connaître: Two Ways to Know

savoir vs connaître

1:00 min video · 3 sentences · 2 key words

Transcript with English

Click a line to hear it, or loop it to shadow it.
  1. 0:17
  2. 0:26
  3. 0:37

About this lesson

Three short moments show when to use savoir for facts and skills, and connaître for people and places.

How to practise

  1. Before each example plays, pick the word that fits and say your answer out loud.
  2. Read the difference card, then repeat every example in the À toi · Your turn pause.
  3. At the end, check the common mistake so you never make it again.

The difference: savoir vs connaître

  • savoir know a fact. Facts, how to do
  • connaître be familiar with. People, places, things

Common mistake: Je sais ton frère. ✗ · Je connais ton frère. ✓ (Use connaître for people, not savoir.)

Which one fits?

Say the missing word out loud first, then open the answer.

  1. Tu ＿＿ mon frère ?

    sais / connais · Asking about meeting a person

    Show the answer

    Tu connais mon frère ?

    Do you know my brother?

  2. Je ＿＿ faire une quiche.

    sais / connais · Talking about a learned skill

    Show the answer

    Je sais faire une quiche.

    I know how to make a quiche.

  3. Je ＿＿ bien cette ville.

    sais / connais · Being familiar with a place

    Show the answer

    Je connais bien cette ville.

    I know this city well.

Key words

FrenchEnglishLevel
savoirknow a fact
connaîtrebe familiar with

New A2 lessons every week

Stories, listening quizzes and conversations at your level.

Subscribe on YouTube

Get The French Shadow Weekly

One email every Sunday: the week's new French videos, one grammar point and one culture note. Free.

More A2 lessons

All A2 lessons →