One of the most insidious obstacles to speaking correct Italian is distinguishing between the different uses of verbs Know and Know Both translate as “to know”. The problem is expressed in its simplest form as follows:
In this article, we will first study these two verbs separately, and then we will examine in detail when Know and Know can be used interchangeably in the same sentence.
1. know
introduce
Know straight from latin Knowwhose roots also occur in English words, e.g. know, Cognition and to identify.
Know is a regular verb.This means that in order to conjugate it, you just need to replace the ending -ere Take into account the corresponding endings of each person’s verbal tense.
let us see simple present / present tense for example:
- I knowo
- you knowI
- she/he knowselectronic
- we knowus
- you knowet
- they knowOno
In compound tense, Know take assistance have / have:
i met mario in college.
i met mario in college.
(literally: I knew Mario in college)
However, this verb is often used in the reflexive form know each other meaning is get to know each other. So since this is the rule for reflexive verbs, it takes auxiliary verbs become / become Compound tenses:
Mario and I met in college.
Mario and I met in college.
(literally: Mario and I knew each other in college)
how to use conoscere
Know is the correct translation Know Such as “familiar” or “experienced”.
This verb usually refers to anything concrete or abstract that you are “familiar with” or “close to” in your life. Nevertheless, for the sake of simplicity, we will refer to four specific categories, as they offer a wide and flexible range of possibilities.
all these are:
- people
- subject/subject
- Place
- Situation/personal experience
1.1 Characters
As we saw in the first two Mario examples, you need to use Know When to meet and when to be introduced to someone.
do you know my brother
do you know my brother
We just moved into this house and we don’t know our neighbors yet.
We just moved into this house and we don’t know our neighbors yet.
1.2 Subject/Theme
verb Know Use when you know a lot about a particular topic and can offer helpful advice or at least have an interesting conversation about it.
Good to know the history of your own city.
Good to know the history of your own city.
Memorize all the works of Homer. *
She memorized all the works of Homer.
(*From the song “Piccola mela” by F. De Gregori)
I ask Luca for advice when there is a problem with the car Because he knows the engine.
When I have a problem with my car I ask Luca for advice as he is familiar with this type of engine.
I get advice from Barbara because she understands the financial world.
I would ask Barbara for advice as she understands the financial world.
1.3 Location
After visiting a place many times, you use the verb Know Say you’re already familiar with it.
and Going to Portugal for the fifth time, I’m starting to get to know it *very well*.
It’s the fifth time I’ve been to Portugal, and I’m starting to get familiar with it
(lo* here is a pronoun for Portogallo)
Of course we know pizzeria, it’s our favourite!
Of course we know pizzeria, it’s our favourite!
A good mountain guide is cautious, even if he knows the mountains like the back of his hand. *
A good mountain guide will be cautious even if he knows the mountain like the back of his hand.
(*idiom: Know [qualcosa] like your own pocket = Know [something] like the back of a person’s hand)
I don’t know the area so have to use my phone to look at the streets.
I had to check directions on my phone since I didn’t know the area.
1.4 Situation/personal experience
verb Know Also used to indicate that you have been through certain experiences or situations, good or bad.
My grandparents knew about fatigue.
my grandparents knew about fatigue.
He was a talented athlete, but never knew victory.
He’s a gifted athlete, but he never knew winning.
He lost his mind when he knew he was successful.
He lost his mind after experiencing success.
2. know
introduce
Sapere is derived from a nearly identical Latin verb that has left a clear trace in English, e.g. Wise, wisdom and wise man.
Sapere is an irregular verb, which means that not only the ending, but also the root of the verb can change when you conjugate it.
Conjugation in simple present / present tense The words are short, but don’t be tempted (like many native italian speakers) to emphasize them:
- I know
- you know
- Lei/he
- we know
- you know
- they know
in compound tense present perfect tenseit requires auxiliary have / have: I know.
how to use sapere
2.1 To know or obtain information about something
Know translate to Know When it means “be aware of” or “gain information about something”.
Did you know that the weather forecast for tomorrow is not good?
Did you know (literally “to do”) [weather] Is the forecast bad for tomorrow?
Antonio knew it would take years of study, but he was determined to become a doctor.
Antonio knew it would take years of study, but he was determined to become a doctor.
Do you know what ingredients are needed to make tiramisu?
Do you know what ingredients are needed to make tiramisu?
2.2 hear something
You also need to use Know When you become aware of something just because you found it or heard about it.
Did you know Maria and Corrado are getting married in September?
Did you know (literally: know) that Maria and Corrado are getting married in September?
I heard you graduated, congratulations!
I heard you graduated, congratulations!
You want to leave tomorrow, but did you know there was going to be a strike?
You want to leave tomorrow, but you know (literally “do”) there will be a strike?
2.3 Non-personal use of SAPERE
in the most frequently used Know is its impersonal form. This verb is used when we use it in a sentence without a specific subject, but referring to a general sentence, with the following expression:
Eggs are known to be a good source of protein.
Eggs are known to be a good source of protein.
Sometimes you don’t know what to do.
sometimes you don’t know [one doesn’t know] what to do.
Everyone knows this is impossible.
Everyone knows this is impossible.
Who knows if it’s true. .
Who knows if this is true..
2.4 Know how: SAPERE + verb (infinitive)
not like Know, Know It can be followed by a verb instead of a noun.
Can you drive a camper van?
Can you drive a camper van?
My mother is good at cooking.
My mother is good at cooking.
I can’t play tennis, but I like watching TV.
I can’t play tennis, but I like watching TV.
2.5 Sapere tastes/smells like…
As we have seen above, Know Verbs in English that are not directly related to “to know” can also be translated.
The following example is closer to its literal Latin meaning.
This soda tastes like strawberries.
This soft drink tastes like strawberries.
The room smells stuffy.
The room smells stuffy.
These tomatoes tasted like nothing.
These tomatoes were tasteless.
2.6 Mi sa as I think, I guess
probably derived from figurative use Know The invariant form described in the previous point a bowl It is often used in everyday Italian to introduce a personal opinion or point of view. a bowl can be translated into I think or I guess.
I think Giovanna is right.
I think Giovanna is right.
Arturo hasn’t arrived yet, I guess he won’t be here today.
Arturo hasn’t arrived yet, I guess he won’t be here today.
I know it will continue to rain all day.
I’m guessing it’s going to keep raining all day.
3. Specific circumstances
In this last section, I will analyze some specific situations in which both Know and Know can be used, with any relative difference.
3.1 people (again)
As we’ve already seen, you can say: i know mario although i know mario Pointless.However, it is correct to say i know who mario is / i know who mario isto tell someone you know Mario by sight alone.
To get a full picture of this difference, you can consider this sentence:
i know who mario is but i don’t know him.
A literal translation of this sentence sounds odd in English:
i know who mario is but i don’t know him.
(An English speaker might say “I know who Mario is, but I don’t actually know him very well.”)
3.2 Songs (and poems)
The difference between the two sentences is interesting and a bit counterintuitive compared to what we’ve seen so far. Both indicate that I know the song:
a. i know this song
b. i know this song
Contrary to what happens with people, if you say 1. i know this songit’s more likely that you’ve just heard it and you’re able to recognize it and follow its melody.
But if you say 2. i know this songyou may be able to sing or play well.
3.3 Language
If you speak a language, you usually use verbs Know:
Clara is fluent in Spanish because her mother is from Toledo.
Clara knows (and speaks) perfect Spanish because her mother is from Toledo.
sometimes a verb KnowBut in this case, the meaning of the sentence refers to the in-depth study of language at the grammatical, literary or historical level.
i know french because i studied french at university.
I know French because I studied French at university.
3.4 Situation/personal experience (again)
We’ve seen that from personal experience you have to use Knowbut can be used Know If formulated this way:
He knows victory and defeat.
He knows victory and defeat.
He knows what is winning and what is losing.
He knows what is winning and what is losing.
3.5 Saperne (di) as “well known”
At a fairly colloquial level of Italian we can use the verb Know together with the pronoun This is When someone has good ability in a certain field or has a good knowledge of a certain subject/subject.Therefore, Saperne can replace Know (benefit) / Know (Excellent), which is often used satirically due to its colloquial nature.
How much do you know about grammar?
How much do you know about grammar?
David knows a lot about football.
David knows a lot about football.
Author Nico Curini, a certified Italian teacher since 2016 and working online since 2019. website: ditelab.blogspot.com | Social Media: instagram – Facebook – Twitter
