Saber is a core Spanish verb meaning "to know" in the context of facts, information, or skills (knowing how to do something). It’s used when referring to things you learn, memorize, or understand intellectually—not for knowing people or places (that’s conocer).
- Saber = to know (facts, information, how to do something)
- Not for knowing people or places (conocer is used there)
Meaning & Usage
| Situation | Use saber | Don't use saber |
|---|---|---|
| Knowing a fact | Sé que dos más dos son cuatro. ("I know that 2+2=4.") | |
| Knowing how to do something | Ella sabe nadar. ("She knows how to swim.") | |
| Knowledge of information | ¿Sabes la respuesta? ("Do you know the answer?") | |
| Meeting someone for the first time | Use conocer: Conozco a María. ("I know/meet María.") |
- Saber is used for: facts, information, knowledge of skills.
- Conocer is used for: people, places, and familiarity.
Conjugation: Present Indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Yo | sé |
| Tú | sabes |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | sabe |
| Nosotros/as | sabemos |
| Vosotros/as | sabéis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | saben |
- Saber is irregular in the yo form: yo sé.
Conjugation: Preterite
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Yo | supe |
| Tú | supiste |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | supo |
| Nosotros/as | supimos |
| Vosotros/as | supisteis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | supieron |
- Use the preterite form to express when someone "found out" or "learned" something.
Conjugation: Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Yo | sabía |
| Tú | sabías |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | sabía |
| Nosotros/as | sabíamos |
| Vosotros/as | sabíais |
| Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | sabían |
- Use the imperfect to express ongoing knowledge in the past.
Examples
- Present: ¿Sabes la respuesta? ("Do you know the answer?")
- Negative: No sé hablar japonés. ("I don’t know how to speak Japanese.")
- Preterite: Supe la verdad ayer. ("I found out the truth yesterday.")
- Imperfect: Cuando era niño, sabía muchas canciones. ("When I was a child, I knew many songs.")
Conclusion
Saber is essential for expressing knowledge of facts, information, and skills in Spanish. Mastering its uses and conjugations will help you communicate more precisely when discussing what you know.
- Saber means "to know" facts, information, or how to do something.
- It is not used for knowing people; conocer is used instead.
- Saber is irregular in the present tense (yo sé) and has distinct preterite and imperfect forms.
'Saber' is used for knowing facts, information, or how to do something. It is not used for meeting people or being familiar with places.
'Saber' means to know (facts, information, or how to do something).
The correct forms are: sé, sabes, sabe, sabemos, sabéis, saben.
The 'yo' form of 'saber' is 'sé'.
'Sabían' is the correct form for ongoing knowledge (imperfect).
Preterite 'saber' is used when you find out or learn something new.
'Saber' is for knowing facts, information, or how to do something—not for meeting or being familiar with someone.
'Saber' is used for knowing answers, how to drive, finding out truth, and knowing things in the past. Not for knowing people.
You use 'conocer' for knowing someone.