Saber or Conocer

This is another tough concept for a gringo to get his arms around, not to mention his ears and mind - it ranks right up there with ser and estar in comprehension difficulty. These are a couple of verbs that will show native speakers if you really know your Spanish (and if you thought, "Yo se español", then you do know!).

SABER

• To know something by heart:
  Yo sé un poema de Octavio Paz.


• To know a fact:
  Ella sabe que San José es la ciudad más grande en Costa Rica.


• To know how to do something:
  Yo sé concinar frijoles.

CONOCER

• To be familiar or acquainted with someone:
  Nosotros conocemos Juan Garciá.


• To be acquainted with a place:
  Ellos conocen Cuba bien.


• To acquainted with an artist or writer's work:
  ¿Tu conoces la poesiá de Octavio Paz?