Meaning and Usage
The verb saber in Spanish means "to know" when referring to facts, information, or how to do something. It is used when you want to express knowledge of specific details or abilities. Unlike conocer, which refers to familiarity with people or places, saber focuses on factual knowledge.
Present Tense Conjugation
The verb saber is irregular in the present tense, especially in the first person singular (yo). Below is a table showing its conjugation and examples:
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | sé | I know | Yo sé la respuesta. | I know the answer. |
| Tú | sabes | You know | ¿Sabes dónde está el museo? | Do you know where the museum is? |
| Él/Ella/Usted | sabe | He/She/You(formal) knows | Ella sabe cocinar bien. | She knows how to cook well. |
| Nosotros/as | sabemos | We know | Nosotros sabemos la verdad. | We know the truth. |
| Vosotros/as | sabéis | You all know | Vosotros sabéis mucho. | You all know a lot. |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | saben | They/You all(formal) know | Ellos saben la lección. | They know the lesson. |
Common Expressions with Saber
Saber appears in many common phrases and questions used in daily Spanish:
- ¿Sabes qué? — "Do you know what?"
- No sé. — "I don’t know."
- Saber cómo — "To know how to [do something]"
- Saber de memoria — "To know by heart" or "to memorize"
Differences Between Saber and Conocer
Although both verbs translate as "to know," saber is about factual knowledge, while conocer deals with acquaintance or familiarity. For example:
- Sé hablar español. — "I know how to speak Spanish." (fact/skill)
- Conozco a María. — "I know María." (person/familiarity)
This distinction is essential when choosing the correct verb in conversation.
Past Tense Forms
Saber also has irregular forms in the past tense (preterite), often meaning "found out" or "discovered." For example:
- Yo supe la verdad ayer. — "I found out the truth yesterday."
It is common to use saber in this sense when reporting new information learned.
For more on irregular verbs, see Irregular Verbs. For a general overview of Spanish grammar, visit Grammar.
