Savoir
* Meaning: To know a fact, a piece of information, or a skill.
* Usage:
* Facts and information: *Je sais que la Terre est ronde.* (I know that the Earth is round.)
* Skills: *Je sais parler anglais.* (I know how to speak English.)
* General knowledge: *Je sais qui a écrit Hamlet.* (I know who wrote Hamlet.)
* Focus: Knowledge of facts, concepts, and abilities.
Connaître
* Meaning: To be familiar with someone or something, to have personal experience with.
* Usage:
* People: *Je connais Marie.* (I know Marie.)
* Places: *Je connais Paris.* (I know Paris.)
* Things: *Je connais bien ce livre.* (I know this book well.)
* Focus: Familiarity, experience, and personal connection.
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:
* Savoir: *Je sais que le soleil se lève à l'est.* (I know that the sun rises in the east.)
* Connaître: *Je connais bien le quartier où j'habite.* (I know the neighborhood where I live very well.)
Remember:
* Savoir is about knowledge and facts.
* Connaître is about familiarity and personal experience.
Sometimes, the distinction can be subtle. For example, you can say both *Je connais Paris* (I know Paris) and *Je sais où se trouve Paris* (I know where Paris is). The first focuses on your personal experience with the city, while the second focuses on your knowledge of its location.
To summarize:
* Savoir: Facts, information, skills
* Connaître: People, places, things you are familiar with.