When you want to say “knowledge” in French, the words connaissance and savoir might come to mind first. And you'd be right! But the French language, with its characteristic precision, offers many other ways to talk about what you know.

As you advance in your French studies, you'll want to express the specific type of knowledge you're talking about—is it a skill, a piece of trivia, or deep expertise? Using the right word will make you sound more like a native speaker.

Let's explore nine different ways to say “knowledge” in French and enrich your vocabulary!

The general, abstract 'knowledge' or 'know-how' – le savoir

Le savoir is the noun form of the verb savoir (to know). It refers to knowledge in a general, abstract, or theoretical sense. Think of it as 'learning,' 'scholarship,' or the collective body of human knowledge. It's often used in more formal or academic contexts.

You'll use le savoir when discussing knowledge as a concept rather than specific facts. For example, 'the pursuit of knowledge' is la quête du savoir. In this sense, it's typically uncountable and treated as a singular masculine noun.

This is a crucial point of confusion for learners. Use le savoir for deep, theoretical understanding or a learned skill (how). Use la connaissance for specific, factual information (what) or familiarity with a person or place (who/where). For example, you have le savoir of how physics works, but you have la connaissance of a specific formula.

A vital related term is le savoir-faire, which literally translates to 'knowing-how-to-do'. It means 'expertise,' 'skill,' or 'know-how.' It’s a very common term in the professional world, especially when discussing craftsmanship, business, or technical skills.

The concept extends to social skills as well. Le savoir-vivre (literally 'knowing-how-to-live') means 'etiquette' or 'good manners.' These fixed expressions show how the idea of 'knowing' is embedded in French culture.

💡 * Le savoir est le pouvoir. (Knowledge is power.)

• Cette artisane possède un savoir-faire unique. (This craftswoman possesses a unique expertise.)
• Il a une grande soif de savoir. (He has a great thirst for knowledge.)
• Le savoir-vivre exige que l'on remercie ses hôtes. (Good manners require that you thank your hosts.)

The specific 'knowledge' of a subject or person – la connaissance

When discussing knowledge in French, it's crucial to distinguish between general, learned facts and specific familiarity. For the latter—the detailed understanding of a subject or an acquaintance with a person—the correct term is la connaissance.

La connaissance translates to "knowledge," "awareness," or "acquaintance." It refers to the state of being familiar with something or someone, gained through experience or study. It's distinct from le savoir, which typically denotes facts, data, or learned skills.

You use la connaissance to describe your level of understanding of a specific field. It is often followed by the preposition de (of). For instance, one might have a connaissance approfondie de l'histoire de l'art (a deep knowledge of art history).

When referring to people, la connaissance means "acquaintance." The phrase faire la connaissance de quelqu'un means "to meet someone" or "to make someone's acquaintance." A person you know casually is une connaissance.

This noun is directly derived from the verb connaître (to know, to be familiar with). If you connais a city, a person, or a topic, you have la connaissance of it. This link reinforces that the knowledge is about familiarity, not just abstract information.

In the plural, les connaissances can refer to a collective body of knowledge (e.g., les connaissances scientifiques - scientific knowledge) or, more commonly, to one's circle of acquaintances or contacts.

💡 * Il a une connaissance parfaite du dossier. (He has a perfect knowledge of the file.)

• J'ai fait la connaissance de sa femme la semaine dernière. (I met his wife last week.)
• Ses connaissances en géographie sont impressionnantes. (His knowledge of geography is impressive.)
• Ce n'est pas un ami, juste une connaissance du travail. (He's not a friend, just an acquaintance from work.)

The 'scientific knowledge' or 'a field of study' – la science

The French word for 'science' is la science. Like in English, this term can refer to two main ideas: the broad, collective pursuit of knowledge, or a specific academic or research discipline.

La science is a feminine noun. Therefore, it is always preceded by feminine articles like la (the) or une (a). For example, you would say la science moderne (modern science).

When used with the definite article la, it most often refers to science as a general concept—the entire body of human knowledge obtained through the scientific method. For example, les progrès de la science means 'the progress of science'.

When used with the indefinite article une, it refers to a specific field of study. For instance, La biologie est une science translates to 'Biology is a science'. It singles out one discipline from the larger whole.

The plural form, les sciences, is very common, especially in academic contexts. It refers to 'the sciences' as a group of disciplines, often contrasted with les lettres (the humanities). For example, une faculté des sciences is a 'faculty of sciences'.

A crucial related word is scientifique. It can be an adjective meaning 'scientific' (e.g., une méthode scientifique) or a noun for 'a scientist' (e.g., un scientifique for a male scientist, une scientifique for a female scientist).

💡 * La science a fait des progrès incroyables.

• La sociologie est-elle une science humaine ou une science sociale?
• Il adore les films de science-fiction.
• C'est une découverte scientifique majeure.
• Les étudiants en sciences doivent beaucoup travailler.

The 'deep, scholarly knowledge' or 'erudition' – l'érudition

The term l'érudition (a feminine noun) is the French equivalent of 'erudition' or 'deep, scholarly knowledge.' It signifies a profound and extensive knowledge obtained through dedicated study.

This word is used in formal and academic contexts to describe a high level of learning, particularly in the humanities, arts, or sciences. It implies more than just being knowledgeable; it suggests mastery and intellectual depth.

The adjective form is érudit (for masculine) and érudite (for feminine), used to describe a person who possesses great érudition. For example, un homme érudit (a scholarly man) or une femme érudite (a scholarly woman).

While le savoir means 'knowledge' in a general sense, l'érudition refers specifically to a vast, specialized, and often formally recognized body of knowledge. Think of it as the difference between knowing facts and having a scholarly command of a field.

💡 * Son érudition en philosophie antique est impressionnante. (His erudition in ancient philosophy is impressive.)

• C'est une femme d'une grande érudition et d'une grande humilité. (She is a woman of great erudition and great humility.)
• L'auteur fait preuve d'une érudition remarquable dans son dernier essai. (The author shows remarkable erudition in his latest essay.)
• Mon tuteur est un historien très érudit. (My tutor is a very erudite historian.)

The 'skill' or 'practical knowledge' – la compétence

The 'skill' or 'practical knowledge' – la compétence

La compétence translates to 'skill,' 'ability,' or 'competence.' It refers to the proven knowledge and capacity to perform a task or function effectively, particularly in a professional setting.

This is a standard, formal term widely used in business, academia, and administration. You'll frequently see it on résumés (CVs), in job descriptions, and during official evaluations.

As a feminine noun (une compétence), it is often used with the verb avoir to indicate that someone possesses a skill. For example, avoir des compétences en gestion means 'to have management skills.'

While similar to le savoir-faire (know-how), la compétence is broader. It encompasses a mix of knowledge, practical skills, and professional behavior, whereas savoir-faire often points to a more specific, hands-on craft or technique.

In short, use la compétence when formally discussing professional qualifications, areas of expertise, or a person's overall capability for a role. It's a cornerstone of professional French vocabulary.

💡 * Il a une grande compétence en marketing digital. (He has great skill in digital marketing.)

• Les compétences linguistiques sont très demandées. (Language skills are in high demand.)
• Cela relève de la compétence du directeur. (That falls under the director's area of responsibility.)
• Pour ce poste, nous cherchons des compétences techniques spécifiques. (For this position, we are looking for specific technical skills.)

The 'expertise' or 'specialized knowledge' – l'expertise

The French word for “expertise” or “specialized knowledge” is a straightforward one: l'expertise (feminine noun). It's a direct cognate, making it easy for English speakers to remember and use correctly.

L'expertise refers to a high level of knowledge or skill in a particular field, acquired through experience or study. It's used in professional, technical, and academic contexts, just like its English counterpart. It implies a deep, authoritative understanding that goes beyond general knowledge.

You'll often encounter l'expertise in specific phrases. For example, faire appel à l'expertise de quelqu'un means “to call upon someone's expertise.” Another common use is in the context of an official assessment, where une expertise refers to an expert's report or evaluation, such as une expertise immobilière (a property survey).

This is a formal and professional term. It is not used in casual, everyday slang. While you might use le savoir-faire to describe practical “know-how,” l'expertise denotes a more formal, often certified or recognized, level of skill. It's the word you would use on a résumé, in a business meeting, or in a legal context.

💡 * Nous avons besoin de votre expertise pour résoudre ce problème complexe.

• L'expertise de cet ingénieur est reconnue dans toute l'industrie.
• Le juge a ordonné une expertise psychiatrique de l'accusé.
• Elle possède une véritable expertise en matière de finance internationale.

The 'accumulated knowledge' or 'background' – le bagage

While le bagage literally translates to 'luggage' or 'baggage,' it is very commonly used figuratively to describe a person's accumulated knowledge, skills, experience, or cultural background. Think of it as the 'intellectual baggage' or 'toolkit' someone carries with them through life.

This term is often used in professional, academic, or personal development contexts. You might hear about someone's bagage intellectuel (intellectual background), bagage technique (technical skills), or bagage culturel (cultural knowledge). It refers to the foundation of experience a person has.

Remember that le bagage is a masculine noun. Therefore, it is always preceded by masculine articles like un or le. For example, you would say someone has un solide bagage (a solid background).

💡 * Ce candidat a un solide bagage technique pour le poste. (This candidate has a solid technical background for the job.)

• Son bagage culturel lui permet de s'adapter facilement à l'étranger. (Her cultural background allows her to adapt easily abroad.)
• Il a un énorme bagage en histoire de l'art. (He has a huge amount of knowledge in art history.)

The 'general knowledge' or 'culture' – la culture (générale)

The phrase la culture générale translates to “general culture,” but is more accurately understood as “general knowledge.”

This term refers to a broad knowledge base covering topics like history, literature, art, and current events. It’s the information an educated person is expected to know, outside of any specialized field.

In France, having a good culture générale is highly esteemed and seen as a sign of a well-rounded intellect. It is often a component of university entrance exams and professional interviews.

Frequently, French speakers shorten the phrase to just la culture when the context makes it clear they mean general knowledge. For instance, Il a beaucoup de culture means “He knows a lot about many things.”

💡 * Il a une grande culture générale, il peut parler de n'importe quel sujet. (He has a lot of general knowledge, he can talk about any subject.)

• Les quiz de culture générale sont très populaires à la télévision française. (General knowledge quizzes are very popular on French television.)
• Pour ce poste, ils recherchent quelqu'un avec une solide culture. (For this position, they are looking for someone with solid general knowledge.)

1. The 'Enlightenment' or 'Intellectual Knowledge' – Les Lumières

The primary and most significant meaning of les Lumières in French refers to the Age of Enlightenment. This term designates the major intellectual and philosophical movement that swept across Europe in the 18th century. When you encounter les Lumières in a historical or academic context, it almost always refers to this specific, transformative period.

Literally, une lumière means "a light." The plural form, les Lumières ("the Lights"), is used metaphorically. It symbolizes the concept of using the "light" of reason, logic, and science to chase away the "darkness" of ignorance, superstition, and oppression. It's about intellectual illumination and progress.

The movement is famously associated with French thinkers known as les Philosophes. Key figures include Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Diderot. Their ideas championed reason, liberty, and human rights, which laid the groundwork for the French Revolution and modern democratic principles.

Beyond the historical movement, the word has other uses. The singular une lumière can describe a brilliant person or an expert in a particular field. For example, you might say someone is une lumière en mathématiques (a genius in mathematics). The expression apporter ses lumières sur un sujet means to share one's knowledge or provide clarification on a topic.

💡 * Le Siècle des Lumières a profondément influencé la pensée moderne. (The Age of Enlightenment profoundly influenced modern thought.)

• Voltaire était l'une des figures les plus importantes des Lumières. (Voltaire was one of the most important figures of the Enlightenment.)
• Notre professeur est une véritable lumière sur ce sujet. (Our professor is a real expert on this subject.)
• Merci de nous apporter vos lumières, votre explication était très claire. (Thank you for sharing your insights, your explanation was very clear.)

Are there other ways to say 'knowledge' in French?

Are there other ways to say 'knowledge' in French?

Our guide has covered the most essential French words for 'knowledge,' like connaissance and savoir. But the French language, with its rich philosophical and literary history, offers many other nuanced terms you might encounter.

To discover more specific terms, you can search for “synonymes de savoir” or explore contexts like “connaissance philosophique” to see how the vocabulary changes.

When you encounter a new word for 'knowledge,' pay close attention to the context. Is it about practical skill (savoir-faire), deep understanding, or simple awareness? The surrounding words will give you clues.

The best way to expand your vocabulary is through immersion. As you read French literature, watch documentaries, or listen to podcasts, you'll naturally absorb these subtle but important distinctions.

For a deeper linguistic analysis, websites like the Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales (CNRTL) provide detailed etymologies and usage examples for words related to knowledge.

I hope this article has expanded your own knowledge. Let’s end with a fitting quote from the famous French writer Victor Hugo: Celui qui ouvre une porte d'école, ferme une prison. (He who opens a school door, closes a prison.)