Saber vs. Conhecer: How to Say “To Know” in Portuguese
English uses “know” for several ideas. Portuguese often chooses saber or conhecer based on what you know.
Real Life Portuguese · 8 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Saber commonly means to know a fact or information, and it can mean to know how to do something. Use it with a clause for information—Sei onde fica (I know where it is)—or with an infinitive for a skill: sei cozinhar (I know how to cook). The verb is irregular, so learn its common forms as useful phrases: eu sei, você sabe, a gente sabe, vocês sabem.
Use saber for facts, information, and skills
In questions, Você sabe…? asks whether someone knows a fact or can do a skill. Add the information or action after sabe. If the answer is no, use não sei and, when useful, ask the person to explain or show you.
Você sabe onde fica a estação?
Do you know where the station is?
Eu sei nadar, mas não sei surfar.
I know how to swim, but I don’t know how to surf.
A gente sabe que o restaurante fecha às dez.
We know that the restaurant closes at ten.
Use conhecer for people, places, and familiarity
Conhecer often means to be familiar with or acquainted with a person, place, or thing. Use it when you have met someone, visited a city, or experienced a restaurant: Conheço a Ana (I know Ana), Conheço Salvador (I know Salvador), and Conheço esse café (I know this café). It often points to familiarity from experience.
A common question is Você conhece…? for asking whether someone knows a person or place. In English, “Do you know Brazil?” could mean either factual knowledge or personal experience; Portuguese makes that distinction clearer with sabe about information and conhece about familiarity or having been there.
Você conhece algum café bom por aqui?
Do you know any good cafés around here?
Ainda não conheço Brasília.
I haven’t been to / don’t know Brasília yet.
Ela conhece o novo professor.
She knows the new teacher.
Compare the verbs in questions and answers
Try this decision: is the sentence about a fact or skill, or about familiarity with a person or place? If it is a fact or skill, start with saber. If it is someone or somewhere you know through contact or experience, start with conhecer. This is a strong beginner guideline, although a verb’s meaning can shift in specific contexts.
Notice the conjugation too: sei is the first-person present of saber, while conheço is the first-person present of conhecer. Repeat the full question and answer together so you practice both the meaning and form.
Você sabe o endereço? Sim, eu sei.
Do you know the address? Yes, I do.
Você conhece a professora? Sim, conheço.
Do you know the teacher? Yes, I do.
Vocês sabem falar português? Vocês conhecem o Brasil?
Do you know how to speak Portuguese? Do you know Brazil?
Practice the difference with people and travel
Write two questions for a new conversation: one about a skill or piece of information, and one about a person or place. Answer each with a complete sentence, then shorten the answer naturally. This gives you a practical way to use both verbs when meeting Brazilians or planning a trip.
Connect this lesson with the Real Life Portuguese guide to perguntar vs. pedir and the travel guides to asking for directions. I Speak Portuguese lessons let you practice these questions with Brazilian teachers. Listen for whether someone asks Você sabe…? or Você conhece…? and notice what kind of answer follows.
Você sabe que horas o museu abre?
Do you know what time the museum opens?
Você conhece uma praia tranquila nesta região?
Do you know a quiet beach in this area?
Não conheço o bairro, mas sei usar o mapa.
I don’t know the neighborhood, but I know how to use the map.
Put it into practice
Use saber for facts, information, and skills; use conhecer for familiarity with people, places, and experiences. Attach the verb to what is being known.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Do you know what time the museum opens”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.