Un 9.4
The Verb ‘connaître’
The verb ‘connaître’ is important for talking about people and places that you know.
The Verb ‘ connaître’ – Le verbe ‘connaître’
The verb ‘connaître’ typically corresponds to the English verb ‘to know’. It is an irregular verb.
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connaître |
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je |
connais |
nous |
connaissons |
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tu |
connais |
vous |
connaissez |
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il elle on |
connaît / connait |
ils elles |
connaissent |
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Past participle |
connu |
Over the last few decades, the removal of the accent circonflexe found in the 3rd person singular form has been suggested by several official orthography groups (e.g. l’Académie française and l’Office québécoise de la langue française), but this has faced some resistance.
'Savoir' vs 'Connaître'
Both of the verbs ‘savoir’ and ‘connaître’ usually correspond to the English verb ‘to know’. However, they cannot be used interchangeably. The verb ‘savoir’ is related to the deep knowledge of a fact or information, while the verb ‘connaître’ is related to knowing the existence of something and/or having experienced something. The verb ‘connaître’ is always used with a direct object.
e.g.
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Savez-vous nager ? |
Do you know how to swim? |
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Je sais que ce smoking est cher, mais.. |
I know the tuxedo’s expensive, but.. |
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Oui, nous connaissons le frère de ton voisin. |
Yes, we know your neighbour’s brother. |
In the passé composé, these verbs take on a slightly different meaning. The verb ‘savoir’ relates to the idea of discovering or finding out something, whereas the verb ‘connaître’ relates to having met someone for the first time.
e.g.
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J’ai su la bonne réponse après l’examen. |
I found out the right answer after the exam. |
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J’ai connu mes beaux-parents il y a cinq ans. |
I met my in-laws five years ago. |
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savoir – to know (how to) |
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je |
sais |
nous |
savons |
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tu |
sais |
vous |
savez |
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il elle on |
sait |
ils elles |
savent |
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Past participle |
su |
