Olá, queridos alunos! Aqui é a Virginia, sua professora brasileira.
Today we’re going to take a test to evaluate if you know how to use the verbs “saber” and “conhecer.”
I prepared a PDF with extra exercises so you can practice this subject.
Fill out the form below to download your PDF.
The verbs “saber” and “conhecer” are translated into English as “to know.” For this reason, many students confuse them. The test below will help you to understand which verb to use in each situation.
Test your knowledge: Saber vs Conhecer.
I recommend that you watch the video to take the test. If you prefer to do it in writing, continue reading.
I’m going to give you some sentences for you to complete. Afterwards, I’ll tell you the answer and explain why we should use that verb.
1. Eu __________ o João há muitos anos. (I have known João for many years.)
conheço / sei
2. Eu não __________ o Rio de Janeiro. (I’ve never been to Rio de Janeiro.)
conheço / sei
3. Eu não __________ tocar piano. (I don’t know how to play piano.)
conheço / sei
4. Eu __________ quem o Marcus é mais não o __________. (I know who Marcus is, but I’ve never met him.)
conheço / sei
5. Eu __________ a Fernanda na semana passada. (I met Fernanda last week.)
conheci / soube
6. Você __________ falar português? (Do you know how to speak Portuguese?)
sabe / conhece
7. Você __________ que horas a reunião começou? (Do you know what time the meeting started?)
sabe / conhece
8. Ela __________ São Paulo muito bem. (She knows São Paulo really well.)
sabe / conhece
9. Você __________ o Brasil? (Have you been to Brazil?)
sabe / conhece
10. Você __________ onde fica aquele novo restaurante? (Do you know where that new restaurant is?)
sabe / conhece
Now, check your answers!
1. Eu conheço o João há muitos anos. (I have known João for many years.)
When we talk about people, normally, we use the verb “conhecer.” When I say that I “conheço” a person, I’m saying that I’ve already been introduced to that person, and I’ve spoken to them at least once.
2. Eu não conheço o Rio de Janeiro. (I’ve never been to Rio de Janeiro.)
We also use the verb “conhecer” to talk about places. If I say that I “conheço” a place, I’m saying that I’ve already been there at least once. If I say that I don’t “conheço” the place, I’m saying that I’ve never been there.
3. Eu não sei tocar piano. (I don’t know how to play piano.)
When we want to say what we know or don’t know how to do something, we use the verb “saber.”
Tip: in this context, the verb “saber” is commonly followed by another verb: eu sei falar português, eu sei nadar, eu sei cozinhar etc.
4. Eu sei quem o Marcus é, mais não o conheço. (I know who Marcus is, but I’ve never met him.)
This one was more difficult, right, guys? When I say that I “sei” who he is, but I don’t “conheço” him, I’m saying that I’ve heard of the person, maybe he’s a friend of a friend, so I know who he is, but I don’t know him personally, I’ve never been introduced to him, I’ve never spoken to him. So that’s why I say that I don’t “conheço” him.
5. Eu conheci a Fernanda na semana passada. (I met Fernanda last week.)
Here, I’m saying that I met her for the first time, I was introduced to her last week.
6. Você sabe falar português? (Do you know how to speak Portuguese?)
Again, remember that we use the verb “saber” to say what you know or don’t know how to do.
7. Você sabe que horas a reunião começou? (Do you know what time the meeting started?)
Normally, we use the verb “saber” to talk about facts, events, and general knowledge. Tip: in this context, the verb “saber” is commonly followed by an interrogative word: sabe que, sabe o que, sabe onde, sabe como, etc.
8. Ela conhece São Paulo muito bem. (She knows São Paulo really well.)
Remember that we use the verb “conhecer” to talk about places.
When I say that I “conheço” a place really well, I’m saying that I haven’t just been there, but I know the region well.
9. Você conhece o Brasil? (Have you been to Brazil?)
Remember that we use the verb “conhecer” to talk about places. When I ask if you “conhece” Brazil, I want to know if you’ve been there at least one time before.
10. Você sabe onde fica aquele novo restaurante? (Do you know where that new restaurant is?)
Remember that we use the verb “saber” to talk about facts, events, and general knowledge.
In this lesson, I covered the most common uses for the verbs “saber” and “conhecer,” but there are still many other uses. Certain nuances are difficult to teach in an explicit way, so I recommend that you watch movies, listen to podcasts, and pay attention to how Brazilians use these verbs in authentic interactions.
To instill what we’ve studied today, you need to keep practicing. For this reason, I prepared a PDF with extra exercises so you can practice this subject.
Fill out the form below to download your PDF.
Até a próxima!
