Was Heißt Know Auf Deutsch

Herzlich willkommen! Planning a trip to Germany? Or perhaps you're already here, soaking in the culture and trying to navigate the language? One of the most essential verbs you'll need to learn is "to know." But here's the twist: German doesn't have just one word for it! It has two: wissen and kennen. Don't worry; it's not as complicated as it seems. This guide will break down the differences between these two words, helping you use them correctly and confidently.

Wissen: Knowing Facts and Information

Let's start with wissen. Think of wissen as knowing a fact, a piece of information, or a specific answer. It's about having knowledge of something. Wissen is typically followed by:

• A subordinate clause introduced by dass (that)
• An interrogative word like wer (who), was (what), wann (when), wo (where), wie (how), or warum (why)
• Directly followed by an infinitive verb (though this is less common)

Here are some examples to illustrate:

Ich weiß, dass Berlin die Hauptstadt von Deutschland ist. (I know that Berlin is the capital of Germany.)

In this example, you know the *fact* that Berlin is the capital. The dass clause introduces the information you know.

Weißt du, wann der Zug abfährt? (Do you know when the train departs?)

Here, you're asking if someone knows *the time* of the train's departure. The interrogative word wann introduces the question about the known information.

Ich weiß nicht, was ich tun soll. (I don't know what I should do.)

Again, you are asking if somebody *knows* something.

Er weiß zu schwimmen. (He knows how to swim.)

While grammatically correct, this construction is less common. A more natural way to say this would be: Er kann schwimmen. (He can swim.) Using können (can) is generally preferred when expressing abilities.

Conjugation of wissen: This is important because wissen is an irregular verb, especially in the first-person singular (ich):

• Ich weiß
• Du weißt
• Er/Sie/Es weiß
• Wir wissen
• Ihr wisst
• Sie/Sie wissen

Notice the change in the stem vowel in the singular forms. This is why it's crucial to memorize the conjugation!

Kennen: Knowing People, Places, and Things Through Acquaintance

Now, let's move on to kennen. Kennen is used to express familiarity with someone, a place, or something. It implies having experience or acquaintance with the person, place, or thing. It's about knowing *of* something or someone, rather than knowing a specific fact *about* it/them.

Kennen is usually followed by:

• A noun (person, place, or thing)

Here are some examples:

Ich kenne Berlin. (I know Berlin.)

This means you're familiar with Berlin. You've probably been there, explored the city, and have some experience of it. It doesn't necessarily mean you know *facts* about Berlin (like its population or history), although you might.

Kennst du meinen Bruder? (Do you know my brother?)

This means "Are you acquainted with my brother?". Have you met him before? Do you know him personally?

Ich kenne dieses Lied. (I know this song.)

This means you've heard the song before. You're familiar with it.

Conjugation of kennen: Fortunately, kennen is a regular verb, making it easier to conjugate:

• Ich kenne
• Du kennst
• Er/Sie/Es kennt
• Wir kennen
• Ihr kennt
• Sie/Sie kennen

Kennenlernen: Getting to Know Someone or Something

It's worth mentioning the reflexive verb kennenlernen. This verb means "to get to know" someone or something for the first time. It implies an introduction or the beginning of a familiarization process.

Ich möchte dich gerne kennenlernen. (I would like to get to know you.)

Wir haben uns im Urlaub kennengelernt. (We got to know each other on vacation.)

Ich freue mich darauf, die deutsche Kultur kennenzulernen. (I am looking forward to getting to know the German culture.)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One of the most common mistakes is using wissen when you should use kennen, and vice versa. Remember these key differences:

• Wissen: Facts, information, answers to questions. Think of it as "knowing *that*".
• Kennen: Familiarity with people, places, and things. Think of it as "knowing *of*".

Example of a common mistake:

Incorrect: Ich weiß Berlin.

Correct: Ich kenne Berlin. (I am familiar with Berlin.)

Another mistake is forgetting the dass clause or interrogative word after wissen when it's needed.

Incorrect: Ich weiß er kommt.

Correct: Ich weiß, dass er kommt. (I know that he is coming.)

Practice Makes Perfect!

The best way to master the difference between wissen and kennen is to practice! Try translating these sentences into German, paying close attention to which verb is appropriate:

1. I know the answer.
2. Do you know this city?
3. She knows that he is a doctor.
4. We don't know why she is sad.
5. I want to get to know your family.

Answers:

1. Ich weiß die Antwort.
2. Kennst du diese Stadt?
3. Sie weiß, dass er ein Arzt ist.
4. Wir wissen nicht, warum sie traurig ist.
5. Ich möchte deine Familie kennenlernen.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between wissen and kennen is crucial for fluent and accurate German communication. While it might seem tricky at first, with practice and attention to context, you'll master these verbs in no time. Don't be afraid to make mistakes – it's all part of the learning process. Viel Erfolg (good luck) with your German studies, and enjoy your time exploring the German-speaking world!

Now that you wissen the difference between wissen and kennen, you can confidently kennenlernen new people and places during your travels!