Episode 28 · Words That Actually Come Up
So or conosco? Sapere vs conoscere in Italian
Don't translate it literally: Italian has two verbs for to know. Sapere for what you can do, conoscere for people and places.
Emma mixes them up twice, in both directions. Laura sorts her out, and then knows the best pizzeria.
Laura ·
In this lesson
| Italian | Word for word | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| So parlare italiano | I know how to speak Italian | I can speak Italian |
| Conosco Roma | I am familiar with Rome | I know Rome |
| Conosco Laura | I am acquainted with Laura | I know Laura |
| Conosco parlare / So Roma | wrong verb | don't say them |
Sapere is for knowing how to do something: so nuotare, so cucinare. Conoscere is for people and places you are familiar with: conosco Marco, conosco Milano.
The dialogue
Every line from the video, with the English meaning under the Italian.
Emma✗ Mistake
Conosco parlare italiano!
I'm acquainted with speaking Italian!
Laura
Parlare è una cosa che sai fare. Quindi...?
Speaking is something you know how to do. So...?
Emma✓ Correct
So parlare italiano!
I can speak Italian!
Laura
Brava! E Roma, la conosci?
Well done! And Rome, do you know it?
Emma✗ Mistake
Sì! So Roma molto bene!
Yes! I know-how Rome very well!
Laura
Una città... si conosce!
A city... you conoscere it!
Emma✓ Correct
Conosco Roma molto bene!
I know Rome very well!
Laura
Perfetto! Sapere: fare. Conoscere: persone e posti.
Perfect! Sapere: how to do things. Conoscere: people and places.
Emma
So... do you know a good pizzeria?
Laura
Certo! Conosco la migliore!
Of course! I know the best one!
The voices in this video are synthetic and the on-screen host is generated. The Italian itself is written and checked by a native speaker.
Ready to speak, not just watch?
Practise these phrases out loud with Laura in a small group or a private lesson.
Find your Italian class