Je le savais
In French, "i knew it" is expressed as Je le savais.
It is common to add an exclamation mark to the phrase to express "I told you so" or validation of a suspicion.
Which one should you use?
While Je le savais implies a continuous state of knowing, the form Je l'ai su would imply the specific moment of discovery or finding out.
Did you know?
- The verb savoir used in Je le savais is strictly for factual knowledge, whereas connaître is used for being familiar with people or places.
- While 'I knew it' is often a declaration of victory, saying Je le savais with a specific tone can actually sound quite condescending or patronizing in a French social setting.
- The word le in Je le savais is actually a tiny descendant of the Latin word illum, which originally meant 'that one'.
Examples in context
- Je le savais !I knew it!Tatoeba #4592079 by sacredceltic, translation #1953109 by ozzie
- Je le savais depuis le début.I knew it all along.Tatoeba #1398842 by Delapouite, translation #245535 by CK
- Si je le savais, je le dirais.If I knew it, I would tell you.Tatoeba #1701647 by Rovo, translation #276976 by CM
- L'équipe française a remporté le match. Je le savais.The French team won the match. I knew it.
- La réunion a été annulée à cause du mauvais temps. Je m'en doutais.The meeting was canceled due to bad weather. I knew it.
- Il est arrivé en retard. Je le sentais.He arrived late. I knew it.
- Ce film va être génial, je le savais déjà !This movie is going to be amazing, I knew it already!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are discussing a surprise party.
- NathanElle a organisé une fête pour toi, Nathan !She organized a party for you, Nathan!
- EmmaJe le savais, elle est trop gentille.I knew it, she is too kind.
- NathanTu l'avais deviné ?You had guessed it?
- EmmaOui, je le savais depuis hier.Yes, I knew it since yesterday.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
