Here is the main difference between savoir and connaître in French:
Savoir
Savoir is followed by an infinitive or a clause starting with qui (who), que (what), quoi (what), quand (when), comment (how), où (where), si (if), etc.
Savoir is used when we have knowledge of something, like for example:
- Je sais qu’il fait chaud en été. I know it’s hot in summer.
- Tu sais où ton ami habite. You know where your friend lives.
Or when we know how to do something:
- Elle sait jouer à la guitare. She knows how to play the guitar.
- Nous savons nager. We know how to swim.
Connaître
Connaître is followed by a noun, a person’s name or a place.
- Je connais cette recette (noun). I know this recipe.
- Vous connaissez Elsa (person’s name). You know Elsa.
- Ils connaissent cette region (place). They know that region.
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