Learning how to say “know” in French is helpful when talking about what you understand or recognize. In French, different words for “know” are used based on what you are talking about. Whether you want to say “I know,” “I don’t know,” or “to know,” learning these phrases will make your conversations smoother.
In this article, you will learn how to say “know” in French, discover related phrases, explore responses, and practice with fun exercises. By the end, you’ll feel confident using these phrases in real-life conversations.
Ways to Say “Know” in French
In French, the verb “know” can be translated differently depending on the context. The two main verbs are “savoir” and “connaître”, each with its own specific use. “Savoir” is used for facts, skills, or information, while “connaître” is used for familiarity with people, places, or things. Let’s explore various ways to say “know” in French.
1. Savoir
Pronunciation: sah-vwahr
Meaning: To know (facts or how to do something)
In a Sentence:
- Je sais la réponse. (I know the answer.)
- Elle sait parler français. (She knows how to speak French.)
2. Connaître
Pronunciation: kuh-neh-truh
Meaning: To know (someone or something personally)
In a Sentence:
- Je connais Marie. (I know Marie.)
- Ils connaissent bien la ville. (They know the city well.)
3. Je sais
Pronunciation: zhuh seh
Meaning: I know
In a Sentence:
- Je sais où tu habites. (I know where you live.)
- Je sais ce qu’il veut. (I know what he wants.)
4. Je ne sais pas
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh seh pah
Meaning: I don’t know
In a Sentence:
- Je ne sais pas quoi faire. (I don’t know what to do.)
- Je ne sais pas pourquoi elle est en retard. (I don’t know why she is late.)
5. Tu sais
Pronunciation: tew seh
Meaning: You know (informal)
In a Sentence:
- Tu sais comment y aller ? (Do you know how to get there?)
- Tu sais que c’est dangereux ? (Do you know that it’s dangerous?)
6. Il/Elle sait
Pronunciation: eel/el seh
Meaning: He/She knows
In a Sentence:
- Il sait nager. (He knows how to swim.)
- Elle sait la vérité. (She knows the truth.)
7. Nous savons
Pronunciation: noo sah-vohn
Meaning: We know
In a Sentence:
- Nous savons ce que vous pensez. (We know what you are thinking.)
- Nous savons comment résoudre le problème. (We know how to solve the problem.)
8. Vous savez
Pronunciation: voo sah-veh
Meaning: You know (formal/plural)
In a Sentence:
- Vous savez où se trouve la gare ? (Do you know where the train station is?)
- Vous savez qui a gagné ? (Do you know who won?)
9. Ils/Elles savent
Pronunciation: eel/el sahv
Meaning: They know
In a Sentence:
- Ils savent tout sur le projet. (They know everything about the project.)
- Elles savent cuisiner. (They know how to cook.)
10. Connaissant
Pronunciation: kuh-neh-sahng
Meaning: Knowing (present participle)
In a Sentence:
- Connaissant ses goûts, j’ai acheté un cadeau spécial. (Knowing her tastes, I bought a special gift.)
11. Savais
Pronunciation: sah-veh
Meaning: Knew (imperfect tense)
In a Sentence:
- Je savais qu’il viendrait. (I knew he would come.)
- Tu savais qu’elle était là. (You knew she was there.)
12. Ai su
Pronunciation: eh soo
Meaning: Knew (past tense)
In a Sentence:
- J’ai su la vérité hier. (I knew the truth yesterday.)
- Il a su répondre à toutes les questions. (He knew how to answer all the questions.)
13. Connaître quelqu’un
Pronunciation: kuh-neh-truh kel-kan
Meaning: To know someone
In a Sentence:
- Je connais Paul depuis cinq ans. (I’ve known Paul for five years.)
- Elle connaît bien son voisin. (She knows her neighbor well.)
14. Savoir quelque chose
Pronunciation: sah-vwahr kel-kuh shohz
Meaning: To know something
In a Sentence:
- Sais-tu quelque chose sur l’examen ? (Do you know something about the exam?)
- Il sait quelque chose d’important. (He knows something important.)
15. Je connais bien
Pronunciation: zhuh kuh-neh byan
Meaning: I know well
In a Sentence:
- Je connais bien cette région. (I know this region well.)
- Je connais bien mon professeur. (I know my teacher well.)
16. Savoir faire
Pronunciation: sah-vwahr fehr
Meaning: To know how to do something
In a Sentence:
- Il sait faire du vélo. (He knows how to ride a bike.)
- Nous savons faire un gâteau. (We know how to bake a cake.)
17. Je ne connais pas
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh kuh-neh pah
Meaning: I don’t know (a person, place, or thing)
In a Sentence:
- Je ne connais pas cette chanson. (I don’t know this song.)
- Elle ne connaît pas son voisin. (She doesn’t know her neighbor.)
18. Savoir de mémoire
Pronunciation: sah-vwahr duh meh-mwahr
Meaning: To know by heart
In a Sentence:
- Il sait le poème de mémoire. (He knows the poem by heart.)
- Je sais cette chanson de mémoire. (I know this song by heart.)
19. Faire savoir
Pronunciation: fehr sah-vwahr
Meaning: To let someone know
In a Sentence:
- Fais-moi savoir quand tu es prêt. (Let me know when you are ready.)
- Nous allons lui faire savoir la décision. (We will let him know the decision.)
20. Être au courant
Pronunciation: eh-tr oh koo-rahng
Meaning: To be aware/know about something
In a Sentence:
- Es-tu au courant des nouvelles ? (Are you aware of the news?)
- Je suis au courant de la situation. (I’m aware of the situation.)
21. Je ne sais rien
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh seh ryan
Meaning: I know nothing
In a Sentence:
- Je ne sais rien sur cette histoire. (I know nothing about this story.)
- Ils ne savent rien de l’accident. (They know nothing about the accident.)
22. Ça se sait
Pronunciation: sah suh seh
Meaning: It’s known
In a Sentence:
- Ça se sait dans tout le quartier. (It’s known throughout the neighborhood.)
- Ça se sait déjà. (It’s already known.)
23. Je le savais
Pronunciation: zhuh luh sah-veh
Meaning: I knew it
In a Sentence:
- Je le savais que tu viendrais ! (I knew you would come!)
- Je le savais dès le début. (I knew it from the start.)
24. Connaissable
Pronunciation: kuh-neh-sah-bluh
Meaning: Knowable
In a Sentence:
- Tout dans ce livre est connaissable. (Everything in this book is knowable.)
25. Bien connaître
Pronunciation: byan kuh-neh-truh
Meaning: To know well
In a Sentence:
- Je connais bien la culture française. (I know French culture well.)
- Il connaît bien son métier. (He knows his job well.)
26. Je ne le sais pas
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh luh seh pah
Meaning: I don’t know it
In a Sentence:
- Je ne le sais pas encore. (I don’t know it yet.)
- Pourquoi il est parti ? Je ne le sais pas. (Why did he leave? I don’t know.)
27. Avoir connaissance de
Pronunciation: ah-vwahr kuh-neh-sahns duh
Meaning: To be aware of / to know about
In a Sentence:
- Avez-vous connaissance de cet incident ? (Are you aware of this incident?)
- Ils ont connaissance du problème. (They know about the problem.)
28. Reconnaître
Pronunciation: ruh-kuh-neh-truh
Meaning: To recognize / to know by sight
In a Sentence:
- Je reconnais cette chanson. (I recognize this song.)
- Peux-tu reconnaître cette personne ? (Can you recognize this person?)
29. Être informé
Pronunciation: eh-tr an-for-may
Meaning: To be informed / to know about something
In a Sentence:
- Nous sommes informés des changements. (We are informed about the changes.)
- Il est bien informé sur le sujet. (He is well-informed about the subject.)
30. Savoir avec certitude
Pronunciation: sah-vwahr ah-vek sehr-tee-tewd
Meaning: To know for sure
In a Sentence:
- Je sais avec certitude qu’il viendra. (I know for sure he will come.)
- Elle sait avec certitude la réponse. (She knows the answer for sure.)
Other Ways to Say “Know” in French
Here is a table listing alternative ways to say “know” in French with their pronunciations, meanings, and example sentences.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Avoir l’air informé | ah-vwahr lehr an-for-may | To seem knowledgeable | Il a l’air informé sur ce sujet. (He seems knowledgeable about this subject.) |
| Être conscient | eh-tr kon-syahng | To be aware | Je suis conscient du danger. (I’m aware of the danger.) |
| Avoir entendu parler de | ah-vwahr ahn-ton-dew par-lay duh | To have heard of | J’ai entendu parler de ce film. (I’ve heard of this movie.) |
| Faire connaissance | fehr kuh-neh-sahns | To get to know | Nous allons faire connaissance ce soir. (We’ll get to know each other tonight.) |
| Se rendre compte | suh rahn-druh kont | To realize / to know | Je me rends compte de mon erreur. (I realize my mistake.) |
Responses to “Know” in French
When someone mentions knowing something in French, you can respond in different ways based on the context. Here are common responses you can use in conversations.
1. Je sais aussi
Pronunciation: zhuh seh oh-see
Meaning: I know too
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Je connais cette chanson. (I know this song.)
Person 2: Je sais aussi. (I know too.)
2. C’est vrai
Pronunciation: say vreh
Meaning: That’s true
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu sais que le film commence à 18h ? (You know the movie starts at 6 PM?)
Person 2: C’est vrai ! (That’s true!)
3. Moi non plus
Pronunciation: mwah noh ploo
Meaning: Me neither
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Je ne sais pas où il est. (I don’t know where he is.)
Person 2: Moi non plus. (Me neither.)
4. Maintenant, je sais
Pronunciation: man-tuh-nahng zhuh seh
Meaning: Now I know
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: C’est là que se trouve le musée. (That’s where the museum is.)
Person 2: Maintenant, je sais. (Now I know.)
5. Je n’en savais rien
Pronunciation: zhuh nahn sah-veh ryan
Meaning: I didn’t know anything about it
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ils ont déménagé la semaine dernière. (They moved last week.)
Person 2: Je n’en savais rien. (I didn’t know anything about it.)
6. Je m’en doutais
Pronunciation: zhuh mahn doo-teh
Meaning: I suspected it / I figured
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ils sont déjà partis. (They’ve already left.)
Person 2: Je m’en doutais. (I suspected it.)
7. Pas du tout
Pronunciation: pah dew too
Meaning: Not at all
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu savais qu’il était là ? (Did you know he was there?)
Person 2: Pas du tout. (Not at all.)
8. Je suis au courant
Pronunciation: zhuh swee oh koo-rahng
Meaning: I’m aware
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu es au courant de la réunion ? (Are you aware of the meeting?)
Person 2: Oui, je suis au courant. (Yes, I’m aware.)
9. Je n’en suis pas sûr
Pronunciation: zhuh nahn swee pah suhr
Meaning: I’m not sure
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu sais où il habite ? (Do you know where he lives?)
Person 2: Je n’en suis pas sûr. (I’m not sure.)
10. Exactement
Pronunciation: eg-zak-tuh-mahng
Meaning: Exactly
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu veux dire qu’il a menti ? (You mean he lied?)
Person 2: Exactement ! (Exactly!)
11. Bien sûr
Pronunciation: byan suhr
Meaning: Of course
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu sais comment y aller ? (Do you know how to get there?)
Person 2: Bien sûr ! (Of course!)
12. Je l’ai appris récemment
Pronunciation: zhuh lay ah-pree ray-sah-mahng
Meaning: I learned it recently
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu sais parler espagnol ? (Do you know how to speak Spanish?)
Person 2: Je l’ai appris récemment. (I learned it recently.)
13. Je ne peux pas dire
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh puh pah deer
Meaning: I can’t say
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu sais ce qui va se passer ? (Do you know what’s going to happen?)
Person 2: Je ne peux pas dire. (I can’t say.)
14. Peut-être
Pronunciation: puh-tehtr
Meaning: Maybe
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu sais s’il viendra ce soir ? (Do you know if he’s coming tonight?)
Person 2: Peut-être. (Maybe.)
15. J’en suis certain(e)
Pronunciation: zhahn swee ser-tan (ser-tan-uh for feminine)
Meaning: I’m sure of it
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu es sûr que c’est là ? (Are you sure it’s there?)
Person 2: J’en suis certain(e). (I’m sure of it.)
Exercise to Practice “Know” in French
Complete the sentences below using the correct French phrases for “know.” Fill in the blanks with the appropriate terms from the previous sections.
Fill-in-the-Blanks:
- Je _______ la réponse à cette question.
- Ils _______ comment réparer la voiture.
- Est-ce que tu _______ ce film ?
- Nous _______ bien le quartier.
- Elle _______ pas quoi faire dans cette situation.
- Vous _______ si le magasin est encore ouvert ?
- Je _______ que Pierre est en vacances.
- Ils _______ parler trois langues !
- Je ne _______ pas son nom.
- Tu _______ déjà ce secret ?
- Maintenant, je _______ la vérité.
- Je ne _______ rien de cette histoire.
Answers:
- Je sais la réponse à cette question. (I know the answer to this question.)
- Ils savent comment réparer la voiture. (They know how to fix the car.)
- Est-ce que tu connais ce film ? (Do you know this movie?)
- Nous connaissons bien le quartier. (We know the neighborhood well.)
- Elle ne sait pas quoi faire dans cette situation. (She doesn’t know what to do in this situation.)
- Vous savez si le magasin est encore ouvert ? (Do you know if the store is still open?)
- Je sais que Pierre est en vacances. (I know Pierre is on vacation.)
- Ils savent parler trois langues ! (They know how to speak three languages!)
- Je ne connais pas son nom. (I don’t know his name.)
- Tu savais déjà ce secret ? (Did you already know this secret?)
- Maintenant, je sais la vérité. (Now I know the truth.)
- Je ne sais rien de cette histoire. (I know nothing about this story.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “know” in French helps you express what you understand, recognize, or are familiar with. Whether you’re talking about facts, people, or skills, using verbs like “savoir” and “connaître” will make your conversations more accurate and natural.
Practice using these phrases in real-life situations. Try forming sentences about things you know or don’t know. With regular practice, you’ll become more confident in using “know” in French conversations. Keep learning, and soon it will feel as easy as speaking English!