What is the Difference Between Kennen and Wissen?

In German, there are two verbs that can be translated as "to know": kennen and wissen. The difference between them lies in the context in which they are used:

1. Kennen: This verb means "to know, be familiar with" and is used when talking about knowing a person or being familiar with something. It is often used with nouns in the accusative case. For example:

• Ich kenne viele griechische Inseln, weil ich jeden Sommer in Griechenland Urlaub mache. (I know many Greek islands because I go on vacation to Greece every summer).

1. Wissen: This verb means "to know a fact, know when/how" and is used for knowing something for a fact or expressing knowledge based on experience. It is often used with subordinate clauses and can also be used with adjectives and verbs. For example:

• Ich weiß, dass London die Hauptstadt Großbritanniens ist. (I know that London is the capital of the UK).

In summary, kennen is used for knowledge based on experience and familiarity, while wissen is used for factual knowledge and is often accompanied by subordinate clauses or adjectives and verbs.

Comparative Table: Kennen vs Wissen

The difference between "kennen" and "wissen" in German lies in their usage and meaning:

Here are some examples to illustrate their usage:

• "Ich kenne sie" (I know her) - uses "kennen" because it refers to a familiarity with a person.
• "Ich weiß, wie sie ist" (I know how she is) - uses "wissen" because it refers to knowing a fact or information about the person.

In summary, "kennen" is used when talking about familiarity with an entity, while "wissen" is used for knowledge, facts, or information.