There are two words for this one in Danish. We will take a closer look at this in the following blogpost.
KENDER
You say “kender” when you have met the object or the person in question in the real world and through that have obtained knowledge of he/she or it.
It may be that you have got to know someone.
“Kender du Per?” = Do you know Per?
“Ja, han er sød” = Yes, he is nice
It could also be an author that you have got to know through his or her books.
“Kender du H.C. Andersen?” = Do you know Hans Christian Andersen?
“Ja, selvfølgelig gør jeg det” = Yes, of course I do
VED
“Ved” is related to the brain. It is a knowledge you acquire, for instance, by studying and learning and thus become wiser. It may also be that you are just informed about it; “Ved du godt at vi får solskinsvejr i morgen?” = Did you know that it will be sunny tomorrow?
To know is tied to factual knowledge that can be proven.
“Du skal ikke tro, du skal vide” = You must not believe, you must know