y lo sabes
/i lo sabes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "and you know it" is translated into Spanish as y lo sabes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of y (and), lo (it) and sabes (you know).
Which one should you use?
This phrase uses the verb saber, which is used for knowing facts or information, as opposed to conocer, which is used for being acquainted with people or places.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the subject by adjusting the verb ending: y lo sabe translates to "and he/she/you (formal) knows it", while the plural form y lo saben is used for "and they/you all know it".
How do you pronounce it?
/i lo sabes/
Did you know?
- The 'lo' in y lo sabes is a direct descendant of the Latin 'illud', which is the ancestor of the English word 'illusion'.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you were to say this phrase with a specific rising intonation, it could function as a rhetorical challenge to someone's honesty.
- The word lo in this phrase functions as a 'neuter' pronoun, which means it refers to an abstract idea or an entire situation rather than a specific masculine object.
Examples in context
- Esto es inaceptable, y usted lo sabeThis is unacceptable, and you know it
- No puede ignorar esta realidad, y lo sabe perfectamenteYou cannot ignore this reality, and you know it perfectly
- No deberías comer tanto, y tú lo sabesYou shouldn't eat so much, and you know it
- Ella está enfadada contigo, y lo sabes de sobraShe is angry with you, and you know it more than enough
- Es una mentira, y lo sabes.It is a lie, and you know it.
- Eres el mejor de la clase, y lo sabes.You are the best in the class, and you know it.
- Estás muy cansado, y lo sabes.You are very tired, and you know it.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a recent decision.
- LucíaNo quieres ir a la fiesta, ¿verdad?You don't want to go to the party, right?
- DanielNo es cierto, solo estoy ocupado.That's not true, I'm just busy.
- LucíaTe aburre el plan, y lo sabes.The plan bores you, and you know it.
- DanielEstá bien, tienes razón.Fine, you are right.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
