In English, we use the verb “to know” for almost everything. We know people, we know facts, and we know how to do things. But in German, this simple concept is split into two essential verbs: kennen and wissen. Choosing the wrong one is a classic sign of a non-native speaker. But don’t worry! The difference between kennen and wissen is logical and easy to master. This guide will clarify the rules, show you practical examples, and turn your confusion into confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Use kennen to express familiarity with a person, place, or thing (to be acquainted with).
- Use wissen to express knowledge of a fact, information, or how to do something.
- Kennen is almost always followed by a noun or pronoun in the accusative case (e.g., Ich kenne den Mann).
- Wissen is often followed by a subordinate clause (e.g., with dass, ob, wo, wann) or refers to a piece of data (e.g., Ich weiß die Antwort).
- Think of it this way: you know (kennen) a city, but you know (wissen) where the train station is in that city.
- The verb conjugations are different: ich kenne, du kennst vs. the irregular ich weiß, du weißt.
When to Use ‘Kennen’: Knowing People, Places, and Things
Think of kennen as meaning “to be acquainted with” or “to be familiar with.” It’s about knowing through experience. You use it when you’re talking about a specific noun: a person, a place, a book, a film, a restaurant, and so on.
The Rule of Thumb for Kennen: Familiarity
If you can replace “know” with “to be familiar with,” you should probably use kennen. It describes a connection or relationship between you and a noun.
At a Glance: ‘Kennen’
Meaning: to know, to be familiar with, to be acquainted with
Use for: People, places, things (nouns)
Grammatical cue: Followed by a noun or pronoun in the accusative case.
Grammar Alert: Kennen Always Takes an Object
A crucial rule is that kennen needs a direct object in the accusative case. You can’t just say “Ich kenne.” You have to say what or who you know.
‘Kennen’ Examples in Context
- Ich kenne deinen Bruder.
(I know your brother.) -> You are familiar with a person. - Ich kenne dich schon lange. /I’ve known you for a long time.)
- Kennst du ein gutes Restaurant in dieser Stadt?
(Do you know a good restaurant in this city?) -> You are asking about familiarity with a place. - Wir kennen diesen Film schon.
(We already know this film.) -> We are familiar with a thing.
Notice how kennen is always linked to a noun or pronoun? That’s your biggest clue. To master this, it helps to learn more about the German accusative case.
When to Use ‘Wissen’: Knowing Facts and Information
Wissen is used for knowing facts, data, or pieces of information. It’s about intellectual knowledge, not familiarity. If you know that something is true, or you know the answer to a question (like when, where, why, or how), you need wissen.
The Rule of Thumb for Wissen: Factual Knowledge
If you can replace “know” with “know for a fact that…” or “am aware that…”, you need wissen.
At a Glance: ‘Wissen’
Meaning: to know (a fact)
Use for: Facts, information, data
Grammatical cue: Often followed by a subordinate clause (with dass, ob, wer, was, wann, wo etc.).
Grammar Alert: Wissen and Subordinate Clauses
Unlike kennen, wissen can stand alone (Ich weiß. – I know.) or is frequently followed by a whole clause that explains the fact you know.
‘Wissen’ Examples in Context
- Ich weiß, dass er morgen kommt.
(I know that he is coming tomorrow.) -> Knowledge of a fact. - Weißt du, wo meine Schlüssel sind?
(Do you know where my keys are?) -> Knowledge of information. - Er weiß die Antwort nicht.
(He doesn’t know the answer.) -> Knowledge of a piece of data.
Kennen vs. Wissen: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Let’s put the two verbs head-to-head to make the distinction crystal clear. This comparison of kennen vs. wissen is the key to unlocking their correct usage.
| Feature | Kennen | Wissen |
|---|---|---|
| Type of “Knowing” | Familiarity / Acquaintance | Facts / Information |
| Grammatical Partner | Noun / Pronoun (Accusative) | Subordinate clause / Fact |
| Example Question | Kennst du Hamburg? (Do you know Hamburg?) |
Weißt du, wo Hamburg ist? (Do you know where Hamburg is?) |
| Example Answer | Ja, ich kenne diese Stadt. (Yes, I’m familiar with this city.) |
Ja, ich weiß, dass es in Norddeutschland ist. (Yes, I know that it is in Northern Germany.) |
Verb Conjugations: A Key Difference
Another important distinction lies in their conjugation. „Kennen“ is a mixed verb, but it is regular in the present tense. „Wissen“ is an irregular verb whose present tense conjugation resembles that of the modal verbs.
kennen (to be familiar with)
| Pronoun | Verb |
|---|---|
| ich | kenne |
| du | kennst |
| er/sie/es | kennt |
| wir | kennen |
| ihr | kennt |
| sie/Sie | kennen |
wissen (to know a fact)
| Pronoun | Verb |
|---|---|
| ich | weiß |
| du | weißt |
| er/sie/es | weiß |
| wir | wissen |
| ihr | wisst |
| sie/Sie | wissen |
Noting the ich weiß / er weiß irregularity is important. For a refresher, check out this a complete guide to German verb conjugation in all tenses.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Let’s look at some frequent errors learners make with kennen and wissen.
Mistake 1: Using wissen for a person or place.
❌ Incorrect: Ich weiß deinen Professor.
✅ Correct: Ich kenne deinen Professor.
Explanation: A professor is a person you are familiar with, so you must use kennen.
Mistake 2: Using kennen with a clause.
❌ Incorrect: Ich kenne, dass die Prüfung schwer ist.
✅ Correct: Ich weiß, dass die Prüfung schwer ist.
Explanation: The clause “that the test is difficult” is a fact. Facts require wissen.
Practice Makes Perfect: Exercises
Choose the correct verb form (from kennen or wissen) to complete the sentences.
- Ich ______ nicht, wann der Film beginnt.
- ______ du Maria? Sie ist meine Nachbarin.
- Wir ______ den Weg zum Bahnhof nicht.
- Er ______, wie man einen Computer repariert.
- Meine Eltern ______ dieses Lied sehr gut.
(Answers: 1. weiß, 2. Kennst, 3. kennen, 4. weiß, 5. kennen)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Kennen and Wissen
What is the simplest rule for kennen vs. wissen?
The simplest rule is: use kennen for people, places, and things you are familiar with. Use wissen for facts and information. If you can ask “who” or “what” you are familiar with, use kennen. If you know “that,” “where,” or “when” something is, use wissen.
How are kennen and wissen conjugated differently?
Kennen is a mixed verb with a regular present tense conjugation (ich kenne, du kennst, er kennt). Wissen is a highly irregular verb with a conjugation pattern similar to modal verbs (ich weiß, du weißt, er weiß).
What is the difference between wissen and können?
Wissen means to know a fact, while können means to know how to do something (an ability or skill). For example: Ich weiß, wie man schwimmt (I know the theory of how one swims), but Ich kann schwimmen (I am able to swim). You can find more in our guide to German modal verbs.
Can you use ‘wissen’ when talking about a person?
Generally, no. You use kennen to say you know a person (Ich kenne ihn). You would only use wissen to talk about facts about them, like Ich weiß, wo er wohnt (I know where he lives).