GRAMMATICA
PASSATO PROSSIMO E IMPERFETTO DEI VERBI SAPERE E CONOSCERE
In the present tense, the verbs sapere and conoscere are both equivalent to the English verb “to know.”
Conoscere (to know; to be acquainted with) is followed by a direct object (a noun, a name, etc.)
Sapere (to know; to know how to do something) is always followed by an adverb or a verb in the infinitive (in which case it means “to be able to.”)
However, when used in the past tense (passato prossimo or imperfetto), the verbs sapere and conoscere take on different meanings.
When used in the passato prossimo
Ho saputo che andrai in Italia la prossima estate.
[I found out / heard that you’re going to Italy next Summer.]
Ho conosciuto Angela tre anni fa.
[I met (for the 1st time) Carla three years ago.]
When used in the imperfetto
Non sapevo che la scuola elementare in Italia dura cinque anni.
[I didn’t know that elementary school in Italy lasts 5 years.]
Sapevi parlare l’italiano quando ti sei trasferito a Bologna?
[Did you know how to speak Italian when you moved to Bologna?]
Non conoscevo Angela quattro anni fa.
[I didn’t know Angela four years ago.]
| SAPERE | CONOSCERE | |
|---|---|---|
| Passato Prossimo | To find out / to hear | To meet someone for the first time |
| Imperfetto | To know something / to know how to do something |
To know someone / something |