Which sentence correctly uses "connaître" (to know/be familiar with) versus "savoir" (to know facts)?

Question

Accepted Answer

Je connais Paris très bien.. "Je connais Paris très bien" (I know Paris very well) is correct because "connaître" is used for familiarity with people, places, and things - things you have experienced or are acquainted with. Knowing a city implies personal familiarity through experience, which requires "connaître."

"Je sais Paris" incorrectly uses "savoir" for a place - "savoir" is for facts, information, and skills (savoir + infinitive). "Je connais la réponse" incorrectly uses "connaître" for a factual answer - the correct form would be "Je sais la réponse." "Je sais Marie" incorrectly uses "savoir" for a person - knowing a person requires "connaître": "Je connais Marie."

The savoir/connaître distinction parallels the Spanish saber/conocer distinction and is frequently tested on the CLEP French Language Level 1 exam. Rules: Use "savoir" for facts (Je sais que tu as raison), skills (Je sais nager = I know how to swim), and information (Je sais son adresse). Use "connaître" for people (Je connais Marie), places (Je connais Paris), and works of art (Je connais cette chanson).

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