verb
to know (be familiar with)
A1
Kennen means 'to know' in the sense 'be familiar with' (people, places, works). It contrasts with wissen (facts). It's a non‑reflexive, mixed irregular verb (Präteritum: kannte, Perfekt: gekannt) and uses auxiliary haben. Not separable. No special prepositions; take direct objects (accusative). Present stem: kenne/kennst.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Ich kannte den Film schon.
I already knew the film.
Ich kenne diesen Ort.
I know this place.
Der Direktor kannte den neuen Mitarbeiter nicht, da er aus einer anderen Abteilung stammte.
The director did not know the new employee because he came from a different department.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a little Rolodex of people you 'ken' (know) with the label 'kennen' on it
sounds like English 'ken' (as in 'within one's ken') — both mean 'to know'
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
'kennen' means to be acquainted with someone or something (person/place). It is different from 'wissen' which means to know a fact.