Saber: to know
Pronunciation: sah-BEHR (stress the capital letters)
Saber means “to know” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to know (facts), to know how to
- How to say it: sah-BEHR
- Present: yo sé, tú sabes
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “saber” means and how to use it
Saber means to know a fact or to know how to do something. It is the verb for information and learned skills.
How to conjugate “saber”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | sé | I |
| tú | sabes | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | sabe | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | sabemos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | saben | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo supe, él supo | I / he or she |
| Past participle | sabido | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- No sé la respuesta.I do not know the answer.
- Mi hijo sabe nadar.My son knows how to swim.
- ¿Sabes dónde está el baño?Do you know where the restroom is?
Usage tip
Use saber for facts and skills (sé cocinar), and conocer for people and places you are familiar with. “Yo sé” is irregular in the first person.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to know” in Spanish?
“to know” in Spanish is “saber.” It is pronounced sah-BEHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “saber”?
Say sah-BEHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “saber”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “supe” and “él” is “supo.” The past participle is “sabido.”
Practice “saber” for free
Reading helps, but practice makes it stick. Try short exercises with instant feedback.
Practice Spanish for free with Leo Read the lesson: Saber vs. Conocer: What’s the Difference?