German Verb Focus: “Kennen” vs. “Wissen”

When learning German, you’ll encounter two verbs that both translate to the English verb “to know”: “kennen” and “wissen”. Despite this shared translation, they are not used interchangeably in German. Each of these verbs has a distinct meaning and usage that pertains to different kinds of knowing. Let’s take a comprehensive look at the difference between “kennen” and “wissen”.

The Verb “Kennen”

“Kennen” means to know in the sense of being familiar with someone or something, often implying a personal experience or direct acquaintance. It’s used when referring to a person, a place, or a thing that one is familiar with or has experienced before.

Examples of “Kennen” Usage:

1. Ich kenne ihn. (I know him.)
2. Kennst du diesen Film? (Do you know this film?)
3. Wir kennen das Restaurant. (We know the restaurant.)
4. Sie kennt die Straßen von Berlin sehr gut. (She knows the streets of Berlin very well.)

In each of these examples, “kennen” is used to denote familiarity with a person, a film, a restaurant, or a place.

The Verb “Wissen”

“Wissen”, on the other hand, is used when you know a fact or a piece of information, or when you possess knowledge about something. It often pertains to knowing something intellectually or having knowledge about a particular subject.

Examples of “Wissen” Usage:

1. Ich weiß, dass du ihn kennst. (I know that you know him.)
2. Weißt du, wie spät es ist? (Do you know what time it is?)
3. Wir wissen nicht, wo das Restaurant ist. (We don’t know where the restaurant is.)
4. Sie weiß, dass Berlin die Hauptstadt von Deutschland ist. (She knows that Berlin is the capital of Germany.)

In each of these examples, “wissen” is used to express knowledge about a fact or a piece of information.

Some Additional Notes

To further clarify the difference, here are some additional notes.

“Wissen” is often followed by a clause introduced by “dass” (that) or an indirect question (e.g., when, where, how, who, etc.).

In contrast, “kennen” is typically followed by a noun.

Comparing “Kennen” and “Wissen” in the Same Context

Here are some examples showing “kennen” and “wissen” in the same context to help illustrate their different usage:

• Kennen: Kennst du die Regeln dieses Spiels? (Do you know the rules of this game?)
• Wissen: Weißt du, wie man dieses Spiel spielt? (Do you know how to play this game?)

In the first sentence, “kennen” is used because it refers to being familiar with the rules, something you can regard as a ‘thing’. In the second sentence, “wissen” is used because it refers to possessing knowledge about how to play the game, i.e., knowing a process or procedure.

• Kennen: Ich kenne dieses Buch. (I know this book.)
• Wissen: Ich weiß, was in dem Buch steht. (I know what’s in the book.)

The first sentence with “kennen” expresses familiarity with the book. Perhaps you’ve seen it before or read it. The second sentence with “wissen” refers to knowing specific content of the book, a piece of information.

In conclusion, while both “kennen” and “wissen” translate as “to know” in English, their usage in German is context-dependent. “Kennen” is used when referring to familiarity with a person, a place, or a thing, while “wissen” is used when referring to knowing a fact or piece of information. Recognizing this distinction is essential to mastering the German language.