"Doctor, I need to know your opinion."

Translation: Docteur, j'ai besoin de connaître votre avis.

[KristianKp]

Why not savoir? That's what the tip says.

[Jojo553168]

→ Docteur, j'ai besoin de connaître votre avis.
→ Docteur, j'ai besoin de savoir ce que vous en pensez.

[LSadun]

Can you explain the difference? I get that there's a difference between knowing a person (connaitre) and knowing how to swim (savoir), but your two sentences are talking about exactly the same knowledge in a way that requires different verbs.

[LaurieHamm4]

I am wondering if the French are saying something more like "I need to hear your opinion" rather than "I need to have an understanding of it."

[--Roody--]

I think connaître is usually followed by a noun (or a modified noun), whereas savoir is usually followed by a clause (subject and verb).

[shunting65]

Not always, sometimes it's a difference of strength. The example from my French teacher:

Je connais cette chanson -- I know this song (I am familiar with it)
Je sais cette chanson -- I know this song (I could sing it on stage)

[shunting65]

I used connaitre but made another error, and it told me to use savoir. I used savoir this time and it told me to use connaitre.

[lucy163354]

I thought a French person would address him as Monsieur le docteur.

[SingeGainsbourg]

Why are you assuming the doctor is a man?

[Rizanola]

Docteur would be his title in this case.

[angusbearn]

Savoir is OK, surely? Perhaps the doctor is being obtuse? Come on, Doc, I need TO KNOW your opinion!

[Susan239288]

Why not "...je dois connaitre votre avis"? (I used the accent.)