Hey, galera! How is it going?
Do you know the difference between Saber and Conhecer in Portuguese? If you don’t, we will help you with this! What about translating both verbs? Oh no!!! Both verbs mean to know in Portuguese. In case I want to use I know in Portuguese, should I use Eu sei or Eu conheço? It doesn’t look like an easy one but don’t worry, with this Dica do Dia, we will understand everything! Let’s learn Portuguese!
Saber Vs Conhecer
Let’s see how to use to know in Portuguese:

The verb Saber in Portuguese
In Portuguese, we use saber to talk about information or abilities that we have. Saber is more theoretical and profound. Let’s see a few examples:
To have an information
Eu sei tudo sobre o Rio de Janeiro.
I know everything about Rio de Janeiro.
Eles sabem onde João está. Falaram com ele hoje pela manhã.
They know where João is. They spoke with him this morning.
To have an ability
Ele não sabe cozinhar bem, mas ela sabe.
He can’t cook well, but she can. OR He doesn’t know how to cook well, but she knows.
Você sabe falar Português?
Can you speak Portuguese? OR Do you know how to speak Portuguese?
If you want to know more about saber and its conjugation, see our Dica about it!
The verb Conhecer in Portuguese
We use conhecer to talk about people, places, objects and situations. Here we have some structures as examples:
To know a person
Vocês conhecem a Marta? Ela foi minha professora na universidade.
Do you know Marta? She was my professor at the university.
Acho que conheço você. Não me é estranho.
I think I know you. You look familiar.
To know a place
Você conhece a Rio & Learn?
Do you know Rio & Learn?
To know an object
Nós conhecemos esse quadro: é a Boba, de Anita Malfatti.
We know this painting: It’s ‘Boba’, by Anita Malfatti.
To know a situation
Eu conheço esse problema. Já passei por isso.
I know this problem. I have already passed through it.

I know in Portuguese
So how would we translate “I know” in Portuguese? See the two ways:
| Eu sei | I know | |
| Eu conheço | I know |
Eu sei
Use “eu sei” when referring to knowing facts, information, or how to do something.
Examples:
- Eu sei falar português. (I know how to speak Portuguese.)
- Eu sei a resposta. (I know the answer.)
- Eu sei que você está certo. (I know that you are right.)
Eu conheço
Use “eu conheço” when you are referring to being familiar with someone, a place, or a thing.
Examples:
- Eu conheço o João. (I know João.)
- Eu conheço bem esta cidade. (I know this city well.)
- Eu conheço aquele restaurante. (I know that restaurant.)
Let’s practice to know in Portuguese with some exercises:
Exercises with the verbs Saber and Conhecer
Complete with the verbs Saber and Conhecer:
- Eu _______ os professores da Rio & Learn.
- Ninguém _____ o que eu penso.
- Todo mundo ______ o Moisés.
- Você _____ o que significa essa palavra?
- Você ______ essa dor de cabeça que eu sinto?
- Nós ______ tudo sobre a cidade maravilhosa.
- Ele ______ a cidade como a palma da mão.
- Elas nunca _____ de nada.
- Eu ____ de tudo.
- Ela já ______ o professor Diogo.
Now we know the difference between Saber and Conhecer in Portuguese!
See you in our next A Dica do Dia!
Hugs and kisses from Rio.
Click in the links below to see more related Dicas
I don’t know in Portuguese
Verbs in -ER
Saber Conjugation in Portuguese
Answers
- conheço
- sabe
- conhece
- sabe
- conhece
- sabemos
- conhece
- sabem
- sei
- conhece
Online Academic Coordinator at Rio & Learn Portuguese School.
Experienced educational coordinator and teacher since 2007, adept in curriculum development, creating physical and digital educational materials, and leveraging online platforms to enhance learning outcomes