Sapere
sapere is irregular in the present. The singular forms are short: so, sai, sa. Watch the double consonants in sappiamo and sanno.
sapere (present)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| io | so |
| tu | sai |
| lui/lei | sa |
| noi | sappiamo |
| voi | sapete |
| loro | sanno |
Facts and information
After che (“that”), after a question word (dove, quando, chi …) or before a piece of information such as an answer, a name or a number.
So che viene domani.
I know that he's coming tomorrow.
Sai dove abita?
Do you know where he lives?
Non sappiamo la risposta.
We don't know the answer.
Learned skills
sapere + infinitive means “to have learned how to do something”. English “can” is potere only for possibility or permission; for a skill use sapere.
So nuotare.
I can swim. / I know how to swim.
Sai cucinare?
Can you cook?
I bambini sanno già leggere.
The children can already read.
Conoscere
conoscere is regular: conosco, conosci, conosce, conosciamo, conoscete, conoscono. It goes before a person, a place or a thing you are familiar with. It is never followed by an infinitive or a che clause.
Conosco Maria da anni.
I've known Maria for years.
Non conosco nessuno qui.
I don't know anyone here.
Conosco bene Roma.
I know Rome well.
Conosci questo libro?
Do you know this book?
