Both can translate as 'conocer', but one is the first encounter and the other is ongoing familiarity.
"Meet" is to encounter someone for the first time: the moment of first introduction. "I met her at a conference" = I was introduced to her at a conference for the first time.
I met my best friend in college.
Nice to meet you!
Where did you two meet?
"Know" is to be acquainted with someone through ongoing familiarity. "I know her well" = I have an established relationship with her and am familiar with who she is.
Do you know her? She is my sister.
I have known him for over ten years.
She knows everyone in this neighborhood.
Common mistake
Trick to remember it
Quick rule
Did you know?
In Spanish, "conocer" in the preterite (conocí a Juan ayer) implies a first encounter, just like "met" in English. In the present (conozco a Juan) it implies familiarity, just like "know." English simply uses two different words instead of one verb that changes meaning based on tense. This difference causes Spanish speakers to systematically confuse MEET and KNOW, not because they do not know the vocabulary, but because in Spanish one verb ("conocer") does the work of both. "Nice to meet you" (Mucho gusto en conocerte, first encounter) vs "I know you" (Te conozco, relationship already exists).
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
I've lived in this city for years but I still don't _____ many people here.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
We first _____ at a birthday party about three years ago.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
One is recalling something yourself, the other is making someone else recall it.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
"Actually" corrects or contrasts an assumption; "really" intensifies or confirms.
'Currently' means 'at the present time'; 'actually' means 'in reality', not 'nowadays'.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy