Difference between...
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Both wissen and kennen mean "to know" in German, but they are used in different contexts:
1. Wissen → To know a fact, information, or knowledge about something
- Used for: General knowledge, facts, answers, or pieces of information.
- Usually followed by a subordinate clause (dass, ob, warum, etc.) or an infinitive.
🔹 Examples:
- Ich weiß, dass Berlin die Hauptstadt von Deutschland ist. (I know that Berlin is the capital of Germany.)
- Weißt du, wann der Zug kommt? (Do you know when the train arrives?)
- Ich weiß die Antwort. (I know the answer.)
2. Kennen → To know a person, place, or be familiar with something
- Used for: People, places, experiences, and things you are personally familiar with.
- Always takes a direct object (Akkusativ).
🔹 Examples:
- Ich kenne diesen Mann. (I know this man.)
- Kennst du Berlin? (Do you know Berlin? / Have you been there?)
- Er kennt dieses Buch. (He knows this book. / He is familiar with this book.)
Quick Trick to Remember:
- If you can replace "know" with "be familiar with", use kennen.
- If you can replace "know" with "have knowledge of", use wissen.