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Learn Saber in the Spanish present tense

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Saber

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Present special form

Saber in the Spanish present tense

Saber means to know, but it is not interchangeable with conocer. Use saber for facts, information, answers and knowing how to perform an action.

Only the yo form is irregular, and sé requires a written accent.

saberto know facts or know how
Present forms of saber

Learn sé, sabes, sabe, sabemos, sabéis and saben. Use saber que before a statement and saber + infinitive for an ability.

Subject or verbPatternExample
yolearn as a complete formsé
túlearn as a complete formsabes
él, ella, ustedlearn as a complete formsabe
nosotros, nosotraslearn as a complete formsabemos
vosotros, vosotraslearn as a complete formsabéis
ellos, ellas, ustedeslearn as a complete formsaben
1. Information and facts

Use saber for information, facts and answers.

Sé la respuesta.I know the answer.
Ella sabe la dirección.She knows the address.
2. Saber que

Use saber que before a complete statement.

Sé que la clase empieza a las nueve.I know that class starts at nine.
Sabemos que mañana es lunes.We know tomorrow is Monday.
3. Saber + question word

Saber can introduce dónde, cuándo, cómo, por qué, quién or qué.

Sé dónde está el hotel.I know where the hotel is.
No sabemos por qué está cerrado.We do not know why it is closed.
4. Saber + infinitive

Use saber + infinitive to express knowing how to perform an action. Do not add cómo unless the sentence specifically requires it.

Sé cocinar.I know how to cook.
Ellos saben nadar.They know how to swim.
5. Saber versus conocer

Use saber for facts, answers and abilities. Use conocer for familiarity with people, places, organizations and experiences.

Sé su dirección.I know the address.
Conozco a Ana.I know Ana.
Conozco bien este barrio.I know this neighborhood well.
6. Sé versus se

The verb form sé has an accent. Se without an accent is usually a pronoun.

Yo sé la respuesta.I know the answer.
Ella se llama Ana.Her name is Ana.
7. Common mistakes
Yo sabo la respuesta.Yo sé la respuesta.

The yo form is sé.

Tú sabe cocinar.Tú sabes cocinar.

Tú requires sabes.

Sé a María.Conozco a María.

Use conocer for familiarity with a person.

Conozco la respuesta.Sé la respuesta.

Use saber for information.

8. A reliable method
  1. Decide whether the object is information, a clause, a question-word clause or an ability.
  2. Use conocer instead for familiarity with a person or place.
  3. Identify the subject and choose the form.
  4. Preserve the accents in sé and sabéis.

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