Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 verb #550 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

Saber

Top 550

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic and frequent uses of 'saber.' The primary goal is to distinguish between 'saber' and 'conocer' in simple contexts. A1 students learn the irregular present tense conjugation, especially the 'yo sé' form, and use it to express that they don't know something ('No lo sé') or to ask for basic information ('¿Sabes dónde está el baño?'). They also begin to use 'saber' followed by an infinitive for very common skills, like 'saber hablar español' or 'saber cocinar.' The emphasis is on immediate, concrete information and basic survival skills. At this stage, the nuances of the past tense or complex subordinate clauses are not yet expected, but the ability to use 'saber' to navigate daily interactions is crucial. Learners should focus on memorizing the present tense paradigm and practicing the 'saber + que' structure for simple facts.

At the A2 level, the use of 'saber' expands to include more varied skills and the beginning of past tense usage. Learners are expected to use 'saber' to describe their abilities in more detail, such as 'Sé usar Excel' or 'Sé tocar la guitarra.' They also start to encounter the preterite and imperfect tenses. At A2, the distinction between 'sabía' (I knew) and 'supe' (I found out) begins to emerge in storytelling. Students also learn to use 'saber' with a wider range of interrogative words in indirect questions, such as 'No sé cuánto cuesta' or '¿Sabes quién es el profesor?'. The focus shifts from simple survival to describing personal experiences and gathering information about the world around them. Understanding that 'saber' can also mean 'to taste' in culinary contexts is often introduced at this level.

At the B1 level, learners develop a more nuanced understanding of 'saber' in complex sentence structures. They become comfortable using the verb in the subjunctive mood, which is often triggered by doubt or emotion in the main clause (e.g., 'No creo que él lo sepa'). B1 students also use 'saber' to report information more effectively, using the preterite 'supe' to mark key turning points in a narrative. They begin to use idiomatic expressions involving 'saber,' such as 'saber de memoria' (to know by heart) or 'a saber' (namely/who knows). The focus is on achieving greater flow and naturalness in conversation, moving beyond literal translations. Learners at this level should also be able to distinguish between 'saber' and 'poder' in contexts of ability versus permission or possibility.

At the B2 level, 'saber' is used with high frequency and precision in both formal and informal contexts. Learners can use the verb to express degrees of certainty and to hypothesize about the unknown. They are familiar with the impersonal 'se sabe que' and the passive 'es sabido que' for academic or journalistic writing. B2 students also master the use of 'saber' in conditional sentences (e.g., 'Si lo hubiera sabido, no habría venido'). They understand the subtle differences between 'saber' and its synonyms like 'enterarse' or 'averiguar' and can choose the most appropriate word for the context. The focus is on sophisticated communication, where 'saber' helps to structure arguments and convey complex ideas about knowledge and discovery.

At the C1 level, the learner's use of 'saber' is near-native, encompassing a wide range of idiomatic, literary, and highly formal applications. They can use 'saber' to express irony, skepticism, or profound philosophical points. Expressions like 'saber a ciencia cierta' (to know for a fact) or 'saber estar' (to have social poise) are used naturally. C1 students are sensitive to the stylistic implications of using 'saber' versus more formal alternatives like 'tener conocimiento de.' They can navigate complex discussions about epistemology or the nature of information using 'saber' as a foundational verb. The focus is on style, tone, and the ability to use the verb to create subtle rhetorical effects in both speech and writing.

At the C2 level, mastery of 'saber' is absolute. The learner uses the verb with the same flexibility and depth as a highly educated native speaker. This includes using 'saber' in archaic or highly literary contexts, understanding all regional variations in its usage, and employing it in complex wordplay or puns. A C2 speaker can discuss the etymology of the word and its relationship to 'sabiduría' (wisdom) and 'sabor' (flavor) with ease. They can use 'saber' to convey the finest shades of meaning in professional, academic, or creative writing. At this level, the verb is no longer just a word to be learned but a versatile instrument for masterful expression in the Spanish language.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Saber en 30 secondes

Saber is used for facts, information, and data that you have learned or memorized.
It expresses skills and abilities when followed by an infinitive, like knowing how to drive.
The first-person present form 'yo sé' is irregular and requires an accent mark.
It can also mean 'to taste' when describing the flavor of food or drinks.

The Spanish verb saber is a cornerstone of communication, fundamentally representing the possession of information, facts, or the mastery of a skill. For English speakers, the most critical concept to grasp is that Spanish divides the English verb 'to know' into two distinct categories: saber (factual knowledge and skills) and conocer (familiarity with people, places, or things). When you use saber, you are talking about 'knowing' in an intellectual or practical sense. If you know the capital of France, the time of a meeting, or how to play the guitar, saber is your go-to verb. It is the verb of data, logic, and learned abilities. In everyday life, you will hear it constantly—from a student saying 'No lo sé' (I don't know) to a professional claiming 'Sé cómo resolver el problema' (I know how to solve the problem).

Factual Knowledge: Used when you possess specific information or data points. For example, knowing a phone number, an address, or a historical date.
Skills and Abilities: Used followed by an infinitive to express 'knowing how to' do something. Unlike English, you do not need the word 'cómo' (how) unless you are emphasizing the method itself.
Information by Heart: Used for things you have memorized, such as poems, songs, or multiplication tables.

One of the most fascinating aspects of saber is its behavior in different tenses. In the present tense, it indicates a state of knowing. However, in the preterite (past) tense, the form supe often shifts meaning to 'I found out' or 'I learned,' indicating the specific moment the knowledge was acquired. This nuance is vital for storytelling. Furthermore, the first-person singular present form is highly irregular: yo sé. Notice the accent mark on the 'é'; this is mandatory to distinguish it from the reflexive pronoun 'se.' Without the accent, the meaning changes entirely. As you progress in Spanish, you will find that saber is also used in many idiomatic expressions and to express certainty or the lack thereof. It is not just a verb; it is a tool for navigating the world of truth and capability.

Yo sé que tú puedes hacerlo solo.

I know that you can do it alone.

¿Sabes tocar el piano?

Do you know how to play the piano?

Nadie sabe dónde está la llave.

Nobody knows where the key is.

Ellos saben la respuesta correcta.

They know the correct answer.

Nosotros sabemos que el examen es mañana.

We know that the exam is tomorrow.

Using saber correctly requires understanding its structural patterns. It rarely stands alone unless in response to a question (e.g., 'No lo sé'). Most often, it is followed by a subordinate clause, an infinitive, or a direct object representing information. The most common pattern is saber + que (to know that), which introduces a fact. For example, 'Sé que vas a venir' (I know that you are coming). This structure is the backbone of expressing certainty in Spanish. Another vital pattern is saber + [interrogative]. This includes words like quién (who), qué (what), dónde (where), cuándo (when), por qué (why), and cómo (how). For instance, 'No sé dónde están mis llaves' (I don't know where my keys are). Notice that the interrogative word retains its accent mark even in these indirect questions.

Saber + Infinitive: This expresses a skill. 'Ella sabe hablar tres idiomas' (She knows how to speak three languages). It implies an acquired ability rather than a natural trait.
Saber + Direct Object: When the object is a piece of information, like 'la verdad' (the truth), 'la respuesta' (the answer), or 'el secreto' (the secret).
Negative Usage: 'No saber' is extremely common for expressing ignorance or uncertainty. 'No sabemos nada' (We don't know anything).

In more advanced usage, saber can be used in the passive voice or with the impersonal 'se' (e.g., 'Se sabe que...' meaning 'It is known that...'). This is common in formal writing and journalism. Furthermore, when saber is used with food or drink, it takes on a completely different meaning: 'to taste.' For example, 'Esto sabe a gloria' (This tastes like heaven). This secondary meaning is essential for culinary contexts. When describing the taste of something, you use the preposition a after the verb. 'Sabe a chocolate' (It tastes like chocolate). This dual nature of saber—representing both intellectual knowledge and sensory taste—makes it a uniquely rich verb in the Spanish lexicon. Mastering these patterns allows you to move from simple sentences to complex expressions of thought and sensation.

¿Sabes a qué hora empieza la película?

Do you know what time the movie starts?

Él sabe que cometió un error grave.

He knows that he made a serious mistake.

No sabemos cómo llegar a la estación.

We don't know how to get to the station.

You will encounter saber in virtually every social stratum and context in the Spanish-speaking world. In the domestic sphere, it is the language of parenting and household management: '¿Sabes dónde dejaste tus zapatos?' (Do you know where you left your shoes?). In schools, it is the primary verb for academic achievement and testing: '¿Quién sabe la respuesta?' (Who knows the answer?). In the workplace, it defines professional competence: 'Ella sabe mucho sobre marketing digital' (She knows a lot about digital marketing). Beyond these practical uses, saber is deeply embedded in the media. News anchors use it to report findings: 'Se ha sabido que el gobierno cambiará la ley' (It has become known that the government will change the law). In this context, the passive or impersonal forms of saber lend an air of authority and objectivity to the information being presented.

In the realm of arts and culture, saber is a frequent guest in song lyrics and poetry, often used to express the pain of knowing a hard truth or the mystery of the unknown. Consider the famous phrase 'Solo sé que no sé nada' (I only know that I know nothing), attributed to Socrates but widely cited in Spanish literature to discuss the limits of human understanding. In pop music, you'll hear it in romantic ballads: 'Sabes bien que te quiero' (You know well that I love you). In the kitchen, as mentioned, it describes the soul of a dish. A chef might say, 'Este guiso sabe a mi infancia' (This stew tastes like my childhood), using the verb to evoke nostalgia and sensory memory. Even in sports, commentators use it to describe a player's 'saber estar' (knowing how to behave/composure) on the field. This versatility makes saber one of the most culturally resonant verbs in the language, bridging the gap between the mind's logic and the heart's experience.

¡Quién supiera hablar español como tú!

If only one knew how to speak Spanish like you! (Subjunctive usage)

Todo el mundo sabe que eso no es verdad.

Everyone knows that that is not true.

The most frequent error for English speakers is the confusion between saber and conocer. Because English uses 'to know' for both, learners often say things like 'Sé a María' (incorrect) instead of 'Conozco a María' (I know/am acquainted with Maria). Remember: you saber facts and skills, but you conocer people and places. Another common pitfall is the use of 'cómo' with skills. An English speaker might say 'Sé cómo nadar' (I know how to swim). While grammatically possible, it is much more natural and common in Spanish to simply say 'Sé nadar.' The 'how to' is built into the verb saber when followed by an infinitive. Using 'cómo' often implies you are discussing the specific technique or method rather than the general ability.

The Missing Accent: Writing 'yo se' instead of 'yo sé.' The accent is vital. 'Se' is a pronoun (e.g., 'se lava'), while 'sé' is the verb 'saber.' This is a common spelling error even for native speakers.
Preterite vs. Imperfect: Confusing 'sabía' (I knew - state) with 'supe' (I found out - event). If you say 'Supe la respuesta,' it means you discovered it at that moment. If you say 'Sabía la respuesta,' it means you already had the information in your head.
Saber vs. Poder: Sometimes confused when talking about ability. 'No sé conducir' means you don't have the skill. 'No puedo conducir' means you might know how, but you are currently unable (e.g., you lost your keys or are injured).

Lastly, be careful with the 'taste' meaning. Learners often forget the preposition 'a.' Saying 'La sopa sabe pollo' sounds like 'The soup knows chicken' (which is nonsensical). You must say 'La sopa sabe a pollo' to mean 'The soup tastes like chicken.' Avoiding these mistakes will significantly improve your fluency and make your Spanish sound much more authentic to native ears. Pay close attention to the context of 'knowing'—is it a fact or a person? Is it a skill or a possibility? These questions will guide you to the correct verb every time.

Incorrecto: Yo se hablar inglés. (Missing accent)

Correcto: Yo sé hablar inglés.

While saber is the primary verb for knowing facts, Spanish offers several alternatives that can add precision to your speech. Understanding these synonyms and related terms will help you express nuances that saber alone cannot. For instance, enterarse is often used when you 'find out' or 'become aware' of something, similar to the preterite 'supe' but more focused on the process of receiving news. Averiguar is used when you 'find out' through investigation or effort, like 'figuring something out.' If you want to say you 'know' something because you've learned it thoroughly, you might use dominar (to master), especially regarding a language or a subject. On the opposite end, ignorar means to be unaware of something, which is the direct antonym of saber.

Saber vs. Conocer: Saber = Facts, information, skills. Conocer = People, places, familiarity. 'Sé la dirección' vs. 'Conozco la ciudad.'
Saber vs. Enterarse: Saber is the state of having knowledge. Enterarse is the act of receiving that knowledge. 'Ya lo sabía' (I already knew it) vs. 'Me enteré ayer' (I found out yesterday).
Saber vs. Poder: Saber is mental/learned ability. Poder is physical/situational ability. 'Sé nadar' (I know how) vs. 'Puedo nadar' (I am able to right now).

In academic contexts, you might see tener conocimiento de (to have knowledge of), which is a more formal way of saying saber. In legal or official documents, constar is used to say that something is 'on the record' or 'known for a fact.' For example, 'Me consta que él estuvo allí' (It is known to me/I am certain that he was there). Another interesting related verb is reconocer (to recognize), which involves knowing something because you have seen it before. By choosing the right word among these options, you can convey exactly how you came by your knowledge and how certain you are of it. This depth of vocabulary is what separates a beginner from an advanced speaker.

Tengo que averiguar a qué hora sale el tren.

I have to find out (investigate) what time the train leaves.

Ella domina el arte de la negociación.

She masters (knows thoroughly) the art of negotiation.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"Le hago saber que su solicitud ha sido aprobada."

Neutre

"No sé a qué hora llega el autobús."

Informel

"¡Vete a saber dónde se metió este tío!"

Child friendly

"¿Sabes contar hasta diez?"

Argot

"Ese tío sabe un huevo."

Le savais-tu ?

The words 'saber' (to know) and 'sabor' (flavor) come from the same Latin root. This is why 'saber' still means 'to taste' in Spanish today!

Guide de prononciation

UK /saˈβeɾ/

US /sɑˈbeɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: sa-BER.

Rime avec

Beber Comer Creer Deber Leer Poder Querer Ver

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'b' too hard like an English 'b' in 'boy'.
Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' (rhotic) instead of a tap.
Forgetting the accent on 'sé' in writing.
Pronouncing 'sé' and 'se' differently (they sound the same, but the accent is for writing).
Over-emphasizing the 'a' sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very common and easy to recognize in text.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the irregular 'yo sé' and the accent mark.

Expression orale 3/5

Requires distinguishing from 'conocer' in real-time.

Écoute 2/5

Easily heard, but must distinguish 'sé' from 'se' by context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Yo Que No Cómo Dónde

Apprends ensuite

Conocer Poder Querer Decir Aprender

Avancé

Enterarse Averiguar Constar Discernir Sabiduría

Grammaire à connaître

Irregular Present Tense

Yo sé (not yo sabo).

Saber vs Conocer

Sé la dirección (fact) vs Conozco a María (person).

Preterite Meaning Change

Supe (I found out) vs Sabía (I knew).

Saber + Infinitive

Sé nadar (I know how to swim).

Saber + Interrogative

No sé quién es (I don't know who he is).

Exemples par niveau

Yo sé tu nombre.

I know your name.

Present tense, 1st person singular (irregular).

¿Sabes dónde está el cine?

Do you know where the cinema is?

Present tense, 2nd person singular with 'dónde'.

Él no sabe hablar inglés.

He doesn't know how to speak English.

Saber + infinitive (skill).

Nosotros sabemos la respuesta.

We know the answer.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Ellas saben cocinar muy bien.

They know how to cook very well.

Saber + infinitive (skill).

¿Sabéis qué hora es?

Do you (plural, Spain) know what time it is?

Present tense, 2nd person plural (vosotros).

No sé nada de eso.

I don't know anything about that.

Negative sentence with 'nada'.

Ella sabe que hoy es mi cumpleaños.

She knows that today is my birthday.

Saber + que (fact).

Ayer supe la verdad.

Yesterday I found out the truth.

Preterite tense (meaning 'found out').

Sabía que vendrías a la fiesta.

I knew you would come to the party.

Imperfect tense (ongoing state of knowing).

¿Sabes usar este ordenador?

Do you know how to use this computer?

Saber + infinitive (technical skill).

Este helado sabe a fresa.

This ice cream tastes like strawberry.

Saber used to mean 'to taste'.

No sabemos a qué hora abre la tienda.

We don't know what time the store opens.

Saber + indirect question.

Él sabe de memoria el poema.

He knows the poem by heart.

Idiomatic expression 'saber de memoria'.

¿Sabes si hay un banco cerca?

Do you know if there is a bank nearby?

Saber + si (conditional knowledge).

Ellos no sabían que el tren se había cancelado.

They didn't know the train had been cancelled.

Imperfect tense with a past perfect clause.

Espero que sepas lo que haces.

I hope you know what you're doing.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Cuando lo supe, me puse muy alegre.

When I found out, I became very happy.

Preterite 'supe' indicating discovery.

No creo que ella sepa la dirección exacta.

I don't think she knows the exact address.

Present subjunctive after 'no creer que'.

Si supiera la respuesta, te la diría.

If I knew the answer, I would tell it to you.

Imperfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

Hay que saber perder con dignidad.

One must know how to lose with dignity.

Infinitive 'saber' in an impersonal obligation.

Me gustaría saber por qué no llamaste.

I would like to know why you didn't call.

Conditional 'gustaría' followed by 'saber'.

Nadie sabe a ciencia cierta qué pasará.

Nobody knows for certain what will happen.

Idiomatic expression 'saber a ciencia cierta'.

Sé que me estás mintiendo.

I know you are lying to me.

Present tense with a progressive clause.

Se sabe que el clima está cambiando.

It is known that the climate is changing.

Impersonal 'se' with 'saber'.

Habría sido mejor si lo hubieras sabido antes.

It would have been better if you had known it before.

Pluperfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

Ella sabe estar en cualquier situación social.

She knows how to behave in any social situation.

Idiomatic 'saber estar'.

No supe reaccionar ante tal noticia.

I didn't know how to react to such news.

Preterite 'supe' indicating a failure of ability.

Para ser un buen líder, hay que saber escuchar.

To be a good leader, one must know how to listen.

Saber + infinitive in a general truth.

Me hace saber sus intenciones desde el principio.

He lets me know his intentions from the beginning.

Causative-like use of 'hacer saber'.

A saber cuántas personas vendrán hoy.

Who knows how many people will come today.

Idiomatic 'A saber' meaning 'who knows'.

Sabido es que la paciencia es una virtud.

It is well known that patience is a virtue.

Passive construction with 'sabido'.

Su saber enciclopédico nos dejó a todos boquiabiertos.

His encyclopedic knowledge left us all speechless.

Noun use of 'saber' meaning 'knowledge'.

No es que no sepa la respuesta, es que no quiero darla.

It's not that I don't know the answer, it's that I don't want to give it.

Subjunctive after 'No es que...'.

Quien bien te quiere, te hará saber tus defectos.

He who loves you well will let you know your flaws.

Proverbial usage with 'hacer saber'.

Saberse de memoria el Quijote es una hazaña.

Knowing Don Quixote by heart is a feat.

Reflexive 'saberse' for total memorization.

A mi saber y entender, la propuesta es inviable.

To the best of my knowledge and understanding, the proposal is unfeasible.

Formal idiom 'A mi saber y entender'.

La salsa sabía a poco después de tanta espera.

The sauce tasted like very little (was insufficient) after so much waiting.

Idiomatic 'saber a poco'.

No se puede saber qué pasaba por su mente.

One cannot know what was going through his mind.

Impersonal 'se' with modal 'poder'.

El saber no ocupa lugar.

Knowledge takes up no space.

Famous Spanish proverb.

Su discurso destilaba un saber profundo y milenario.

His speech distilled a deep and ancient knowledge.

Literary use of 'saber' as a noun.

Hágase saber a todos los ciudadanos el nuevo decreto.

Let the new decree be known to all citizens.

Archaic/Formal imperative 'Hágase saber'.

El vino sabía a rayos, pero lo bebimos por cortesía.

The wine tasted terrible, but we drank it out of courtesy.

Colloquial idiom 'saber a rayos'.

Nada se supo de la expedición tras cruzar el estrecho.

Nothing was heard of the expedition after crossing the strait.

Preterite passive 'se supo' for historical reporting.

Es un hombre de gran saber, aunque de poco hablar.

He is a man of great knowledge, though of little speech.

Noun use in a character description.

Saberse ganador antes de tiempo es un error fatal.

Knowing oneself to be the winner prematurely is a fatal error.

Reflexive 'saberse' indicating self-perception.

La noticia supo a gloria a los familiares de los mineros.

The news was wonderful (tasted like glory) to the miners' families.

Idiomatic 'saber a gloria' applied to news.

A fuer de saber la verdad, prefiero callar.

By virtue of knowing the truth, I prefer to remain silent.

Highly formal/archaic 'A fuer de'.

Collocations courantes

Saber de memoria

Saber a ciencia cierta

Hacer saber

Saber a poco

Saber a gloria

Saber estar

No saber ni jota

Saber de buena tinta

Saber elegir

Saber escuchar

Phrases Courantes

No lo sé

¿Quién sabe?

Ya lo sé

Que yo sepa

Vete a saber

Saber de qué se trata

No saber qué hacer

Saber por dónde van los tiros

A saber

Hacerse saber

Souvent confondu avec

Saber vs Conocer

The biggest confusion. Saber is for facts/skills; Conocer is for people/places.

Saber vs Poder

Saber is 'knowing how' (mental); Poder is 'being able to' (physical/situational).

Saber vs Sé vs Se

Sé is the verb; Se is a pronoun. The accent is the only difference in writing.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Saber a rayos"

To taste terrible or disgusting.

Esta medicina sabe a rayos.

Informal

"Saber latín"

To be very clever, shrewd, or experienced.

Ten cuidado con ese vendedor, que sabe latín.

Colloquial

"Saber a ciencia cierta"

To know something for a fact without any doubt.

Nadie sabe a ciencia cierta cómo empezó el fuego.

Neutral

"No saber dónde meterse"

To be extremely embarrassed (not know where to hide).

Cuando se me rompió el pantalón, no sabía dónde meterme.

Informal

"Saber a poco"

To be insufficient or leave one wanting more.

La cena estaba rica, pero me supo a poco.

Neutral

"Saber de qué pie cojea alguien"

To know someone's weaknesses or true character.

No me engañas, ya sé de qué pie cojeas.

Colloquial

"Saber más que el hambre"

To be very smart or resourceful (often from necessity).

Ese niño es muy listo, sabe más que el hambre.

Colloquial

"Saber estar"

To have good manners and know how to behave in any situation.

Ella tiene mucho saber estar.

Neutral

"Saber de buena tinta"

To know something from a reliable source.

Sé de buena tinta que van a despedir al jefe.

Neutral

"¡Vete a saber!"

Who knows! / Your guess is as good as mine!

—¿Cuándo volverá? —¡Vete a saber!

Informal

Facile à confondre

Saber vs Conocer

Both translate to 'to know' in English.

Saber is for information, facts, and skills. Conocer is for familiarity with people, places, and complex things like books or movies.

Sé tocar el piano (skill) vs Conozco a un pianista (person).

Saber vs Poder

Both can relate to ability.

Saber implies you have learned the skill. Poder implies you have the opportunity or physical capacity at this moment.

Sé nadar (I have the skill) vs No puedo nadar hoy (I have a cold).

Saber vs Enterarse

Both involve having information.

Saber is the state of knowing. Enterarse is the process of finding out or being informed.

Ya lo sabía (I already knew) vs Me enteré ayer (I found out yesterday).

Saber vs Averiguar

Both involve knowledge.

Saber is simply having the knowledge. Averiguar implies an active search or investigation to get that knowledge.

Sé su nombre vs Tengo que averiguar su nombre.

Saber vs Ignorar

It is the opposite of knowing.

In English, 'ignore' means to disregard. In Spanish, 'ignorar' primarily means 'to not know.'

Ignoro la respuesta (I don't know the answer).

Structures de phrases

Yo sé + [noun]

Yo sé la verdad.

No sé + [infinitive]

No sé bailar.

¿Sabes + [interrogative]...?

¿Sabes dónde está mi llave?

[Food] + sabe a + [flavor]

La tarta sabe a manzana.

No creo que + [subjunctive saber]

No creo que él lo sepa.

Si + [subjunctive saber] + [conditional]

Si supiera la verdad, te lo diría.

Se sabe que + [clause]

Se sabe que el ejercicio es bueno.

Hacer saber algo a alguien

Le hice saber mi descontento.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely High (Top 50 verbs)

Erreurs courantes

Sé a Juan. → Conozco a Juan.
You cannot use 'saber' for people. You must use 'conocer' for acquaintances.
Sé cómo nadar. → Sé nadar.
While 'cómo' is sometimes used for emphasis, it is usually redundant. 'Saber' + infinitive already means 'know how to.'
Yo se la verdad. → Yo sé la verdad.
The accent on 'sé' is mandatory to distinguish the verb from the pronoun 'se.'
La sopa sabe pollo. → La sopa sabe a pollo.
To say something tastes like something else, you must use the preposition 'a.'
Supe que él era alto. → Sabía que él era alto.
Use 'sabía' for a continuous state of knowledge. 'Supe' implies you found out at that exact moment.

Astuces

The Accent Matters

Always write 'sé' with an accent for the first person present. It distinguishes the verb from the pronoun 'se.' This is a very common mistake for beginners.

Saber + Infinitive

Remember that 'saber' + infinitive = 'know how to.' You don't need 'cómo.' 'Sé cocinar' is perfect; 'Sé cómo cocinar' is usually redundant.

Taste with Saber

When describing flavor, use 'saber a.' 'Sabe a fresa' (It tastes like strawberry). Without 'a,' the sentence won't make sense.

Discovery in the Past

Use the preterite 'supe' when you want to say 'I found out.' Use 'sabía' when you want to say 'I already knew' or 'I used to know.'

Software vs. Connections

Think of 'Saber' as your brain's software (data/skills) and 'Conocer' as your social connections (people/places).

Saber a poco

Use 'saber a poco' when something was good but too short or insufficient. 'La fiesta me supo a poco' (The party felt too short).

Saber Estar

In Spain, 'saber estar' is a huge compliment. It means you are poised and know how to act in any social setting.

Saber de Memoria

To say you know something 'by heart,' use 'saber de memoria.' This is great for talking about poems, songs, or math.

Hacer Saber

In business, use 'hacer saber' to mean 'to inform' or 'to let someone know.' It sounds very professional.

Context is King

Since 'sé' and 'se' sound the same, listen to the words around them. If it's followed by 'que' or an infinitive, it's almost certainly 'saber.'

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'SABER-toothed tiger.' You need to KNOW (saber) how to run away from one! Also, 'Saber' sounds like 'Savvy' (knowing/wise).

Association visuelle

Imagine a brain (knowledge) with a tongue (taste) sticking out of it. This connects the two meanings of 'saber': to know and to taste.

Word Web

Información Habilidad Datos Verdad Sabor Sabiduría Estudiar Aprender

Défi

Try to use 'sé' (I know) and 'sabe a' (it tastes like) in the same conversation today. For example: 'Sé que esta pizza sabe a queso.'

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin verb 'sapere,' which originally meant 'to taste' or 'to have flavor.' Over time, the meaning evolved to include 'to be wise' or 'to have discernment,' and eventually 'to know.'

Sens originel : To taste / To be wise.

Romance (Latin)

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but 'sabiondo' (know-it-all) can be used pejoratively.

English speakers must be careful not to use 'saber' for people. Saying 'Sé a tu hermano' is a major error; it must be 'Conozco a tu hermano.'

Solo sé que no sé nada (Socrates, widely quoted in Spanish). Saber que se puede, querer que se pueda (Lyrics from 'Color Esperanza' by Diego Torres). El saber no ocupa lugar (Common Spanish proverb).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

School/Education

¿Sabes la respuesta?
No sé la lección.
Hay que saber estudiar.
Sé de memoria los verbos.

Cooking/Eating

¿A qué sabe esto?
Sabe a chocolate.
Sabe muy bien.
Sabe a poco.

Directions/Travel

¿Sabes dónde está la plaza?
No sé cómo llegar.
¿Sabes a qué hora sale el tren?
Ya sé el camino.

Work/Professional

Sé usar este programa.
Le haré saber los resultados.
Ella sabe mucho de leyes.
No sabemos qué decidió el jefe.

Socializing

¿Sabes qué pasó ayer?
Sé que te gusta el cine.
No sabía que estabas aquí.
¿Sabes tocar algún instrumento?

Amorces de conversation

"¿Sabes hablar algún otro idioma aparte del inglés?"

"¿Sabes cocinar algún plato típico de tu país?"

"¿Sabes a qué hora cierran los supermercados aquí?"

"¿Sabes tocar la guitarra o el piano?"

"¿Sabes dónde puedo encontrar un buen café?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre tres cosas que sabes hacer muy bien y cómo las aprendiste.

Describe un momento en el que supiste una noticia muy importante.

¿Qué cosas te gustaría saber en el futuro que no sabes ahora?

Describe tu comida favorita y explica a qué sabe exactamente.

Escribe sobre un dato curioso que sepas y que la mayoría de la gente ignore.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Use 'saber' for facts, information, and skills (things you can explain or do). Use 'conocer' for people, places, and things you are familiar with (things you can recognize). For example, you 'sabes' a phone number but you 'conoces' the person it belongs to.

No, 'saber' also means 'to taste' when followed by 'a'. For example, 'Sabe a chocolate' means 'It tastes like chocolate.' It can also mean 'to find out' in the preterite tense ('supe').

No, the correct form is 'yo sé' with an accent. Without the accent, 'se' is a reflexive or indirect object pronoun, not the verb 'to know.'

You say 'Sé nadar.' You do not need to add 'cómo' (how) because 'saber' followed by an infinitive already implies 'knowing how to' do the action.

'Sabía' is the imperfect and means 'I knew' (a state in the past). 'Supe' is the preterite and means 'I found out' (the moment you got the information).

Generally, no. You use 'conocer' for people. However, you can say 'Sé quién es él' (I know who he is), which is knowing a fact about him, rather than being personally acquainted with him.

It is an idiom that means 'to taste wonderful' or 'to be a great relief/joy.' For example, a cold drink on a hot day 'sabe a gloria.'

Yes, it is highly irregular in the present tense (yo sé) and in the preterite tense (yo supe, tú supiste, etc.).

The present subjunctive forms are: sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepáis, sepan. It is used after expressions of doubt or emotion, like 'No creo que él lo sepa.'

It refers to having good social manners and knowing how to behave appropriately in different situations. It is a highly valued trait in Spanish culture.