знать vs уметь vs мочь

znat vs umet vs moch — know a fact/person vs know how vs be able to/can

What it really means

Знать means to know information, a fact, a person, or a place: "Я знаю его" (I know him). Уметь means to know how to do a learned skill and is normally followed by an imperfective infinitive: "Она умеет плавать" (She knows how to swim). Мочь means to be able to or can, whether because of permission, circumstances, physical ability, or possibility: "Я могу прийти" (I can come).

Russian separates knowledge from ability more sharply than English does. Use знать + что/кто/где for information, уметь + infinitive for a skill, and мочь + infinitive for a present possibility or opportunity.

Examples in natural speech

Я знаю этот город.
I know this city.
Ты знаешь, где вокзал?
Do you know where the station is?
Он умеет готовить.
He knows how to cook.
Я не умею кататься на лыжах.
I don't know how to ski.
Мы можем встретиться вечером.
We can meet in the evening.
Ты можешь открыть окно?
Can you open the window?

Common mistakes

Do not translate every English "know" as знать. "Я знаю плавать" is wrong for "I know how to swim"; say "Я умею плавать." Уметь is for a skill, while мочь is for being able or permitted in a particular situation.

Memory tip

Знать is knowledge, уметь is a learned skill, and мочь is ability or possibility now.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between знать, уметь, and мочь?

Знать means know information, a person, or a place. Уметь means know how to perform a skill. Мочь means can or be able to in a particular situation.

How do you say I know how to speak Russian?

Say "Я умею говорить по-русски." Уметь is followed by an infinitive when you mean a learned ability or skill.

How do you say I cannot come in Russian?

Say "Я не могу прийти." Могу describes whether coming is possible in the current situation; "я не умею приходить" would not make sense.

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