SABER/CONOCER and PEDIR/PREGUNTAR
Pattern: Saber and Conocer can both mean “to know,” but they have fundamental differences.
Pattern: Pedir and Preguntar can both mean “to ask,” but they have fundamental differences.
The Basics
Saber is generally used to express knowledge of facts.
Conocer is generally used to express familiarity or acquaintance.
Pedir is generally used to make a request.
Preguntar is generally used to ask a factual question.
Examples
Notice the differences between the English translations of the verbs saber and conocer, as well
as the differences between pedir and preguntar.
Tú sabes español.
Tú conoces a Hillary.
You know Spanish (factual knowledge).
You know Hillary (you are acquainted with her).
Ella pide ayuda.
Ella pregunta qué hora es.
She asks for help (request).
She asks what time it is (factual question).
Note: Pedir can be translated as “to ask for.” However, it is a transitive verb and does not require the
use of the preposition por. That is why the sentence above is Ella pide ayuda, NOT Ella pide por
ayuda.
Conjugation
Saber is irregular in the yo form:
Saber
sé
sabemos
sabes
sabéis
sabe
saben
Conocer is also irregular in the yo form:
Conocer
conozco
conocemos
conoces
conocéis
conoce
conocen
Pedir is a stem-changing verb (e-i):
Pedir
pido
pedimos
pides
pedís
pide
piden
Preguntar is a regular -AR verb:
Preguntar
pregunto
preguntamos
preguntas
preguntáis
pregunta
preguntan