French · Everyday Verbs
"to know (a person or place)" in French: connaître
connaître
To know a person or place in French is connaître. Je connais, tu connais, il/elle connaît are common present forms. For facts and skills, use savoir instead.
Networking
Tu connais Léa, non ?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce connaître
Say it
ko-NETR
/kɔ.nɛtʁ/
Connaître is ko-NETR (approx.). Connais sounds like ko-NEH. Connaît like ko-NEH with a soft final.
"to know (a person or place)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| connaître | to know (people / places) Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| je connais / tu connais / il connaît | I know / you know / he knows Present. | Present. |
| faire connaissance | to meet / get acquainted First meetings. | First meetings. |
| connaître bien | to know well Familiarity level. | Familiarity level. |
How to use connaître in real life
- 1Networking
Tu connais Léa, non ?
You know Léa, right?
Tu connais + person.
- 2City talk
Je connais bien ce quartier.
I know this neighborhood well.
Places take connaître.
- 3Book tip
Tu connais ce roman ?
Do you know this novel?
Works and titles too.
Mistakes English speakers make with connaître
Incorrect: Je sais Paris.
Correct: Je connais Paris.
Places use connaître.
Incorrect: Je connaître Paul.
Correct: Je connais Paul.
Conjugate: je connais.
Good to know
Connais-tu… ? is a classic conversation opener about people, restaurants, and neighborhoods. Depth ranges from vaguely knowing to connaître par cœur.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
At a mutual friend's party
ChatPal
Tu connais Marc, mon collègue ?
Do you know Marc, my colleague?
You
Oui, je le connais un peu.
Yes, I know him a little.
ChatPal
Parfait. Il connaît tous les bons restos.
Perfect. He knows all the good restaurants.
You
On lui demande un conseil alors.
Let's ask him for a tip then.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to know (a person or place)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to know (a person or place)" in French
How do you say to know someone in French?
Connaître.
Connaître or savoir?
Connaître for people/places; savoir for facts/skills.
How do I say I know her?
Je la connais.
How do you pronounce connaître?
Roughly ko-NETR.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
