solo sé
/solo se/from spelling rules
In Spanish, solo sé is the way to say "just know".
A phrase used to tell someone to keep a specific fact in mind or be aware of something.
Which one should you use?
While solo sé is used for the first person (I), it must be conjugated to match the subject of the sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on who is doing the knowing: use solo sabe for "he/she/it just knows" and solo saben for "they just know."
How do you pronounce it?
/solo se/
Did you know?
- While sé means 'I know', adding a written accent mark to se changes the word into a reflexive pronoun. Misplacing this tiny mark can turn 'I know' into 'himself' or 'itself'.
- The word sé is a homonym that can either mean 'I know' from the verb saber or 'be' as a command from the verb ser.
- The word solo comes from the Latin sōlus, meaning 'alone' or 'sole'. This makes it a direct ancestor to the English words 'solo' and 'solitary'.
Examples in context
- No sé por qué me gusta. Solo sé que me gusta.I don't know why I like it. I just know that I like it.This example shows how to express that you have a feeling or preference without knowing the reason using solo sé.Tatoeba #10205804 by Seael, translation #10205806 by DJ_Saidez
- Solo sé su nombre, eso es todo.I just know his name, that's all.This sentence uses solo sé to indicate that a name is the only piece of information available.Tatoeba #2132467 by JuanSamuelVB, translation #285320 by CK
- No sé por qué quiero aprender francés. Solo sé que quiero.I don't know why I want to learn French. I just know I want to.This example uses solo sé to express a desire to learn a language without a specific reason.Tatoeba #10523934 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10136071 by DJ_Saidez
- Solo sepa que su opinión es valiosa para nosotros.Just know that your opinion is valuable to us.
- Tenga en cuenta que la conferencia se pospuso para la próxima semana.Just know that the conference has been postponed to next week.
- Solo para que lo tengas presente, mañana tendremos una reunión a las 10 a.m.Just so you have it in mind, we have a meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Example conversation
Daniel is giving Maria some advice about a new job.
- DanielTe deseo mucha suerte mañana.I wish you a lot of luck tomorrow.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel. Estoy muy nerviosa.Thanks, Daniel. I am very nervous.
- DanielSolo sé que lo vas a hacer muy bien.Just know that you are going to do very well.
- MaríaEso me hace sentir mucho mejor.That makes me feel much better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries solo, sé, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
