savoir
/sa.vwaʁ/
The French verb for 'know' is savoir.
savoir is used when you know a piece of information, a fact or how to perform a skill. It is typically used when the object of knowledge is a subordinate clause introduced by words such as que (that), si (if) or pourquoi (why).
Meaning: be acquainted or familiar with (verb)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between savoir and connaître. Use savoir to express knowing a fact or knowing how to do something. In contrast, use connaître when you mean to be acquainted with a person, a place or a specific thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
When savoir is followed by an infinitive verb, it is used to express the ability to do something, meaning 'to know how to'.
How do you pronounce it?
/sa.vwaʁ/
Did you know?
- The French verb savoir comes from the Latin sapere, which originally meant 'to taste by mouth'.
Examples in context
- Tu veux savoir ?Want to know?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants to know something using savoir.Tatoeba #4743867 by sicerabibax, translation #320083 by AlanF_US
- Je dois le savoir.I must know.This sentence is useful for expressing necessity to know something using savoir.Tatoeba #1800406 by sacredceltic, translation #1799601 by Spamster
- Il me faut savoir.I need to know.This sentence is useful for expressing a need to know something using savoir.Tatoeba #2251528 by sacredceltic, translation #2246738 by Hybrid
- Je sais comment résoudre ce problème.I know how to solve this problem.
- Je connais bien cette ville.I know this city well.
- J'ai connaissance de cette loi.I am aware of this law.
- Tu sais ce qu'il s'est passé hier?Do you know what happened yesterday?
- Je connais bien ce film.I know this movie well.
- T'es au courant de la dernière nouvelle?Are you up to date with the latest news?
- 1104 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are at a bakery discussing the menu.
- LéaEst-ce que tu sais quel est le meilleur gâteau ?Do you know which is the best cake?
- LucasNon, je ne sais pas encore.No, I don't know yet.
- LéaJe vais demander au boulanger pour savoir.I will ask the baker to find out.
- LucasD'accord, c'est une bonne idée.Okay, that is a good idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry savoir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries savoir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
