sabes qué
/sabes ke/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "know what" is translated as sabes qué.
When used as an interjection, sabes qué functions similarly to the English "you know what…" or "guess what…". It is a way to grab someone's attention before introducing a piece of news or a surprising statement. However, it can also be used as a literal part of a question when you are asking if someone possesses specific information.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb saber (to know) in the second-person singular present tense and the interrogative pronoun qué (what).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between using the phrase as an interjection to announce something and using it as a functional part of a direct question. As an interjection, it serves to introduce a topic, whereas in a literal query like ¿Sabes qué día es?, it is used to ask for specific information.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spain, when addressing a group of people using the vosotros form, the phrase becomes sabéis qué.
How do you pronounce it?
/sabes ke/
Did you know?
- While sabes qué usually introduces news, adding a slightly different tone can turn it into a warning. In some contexts, it can function like 'listen here' or 'look', signaling that the speaker is about to be firm or confrontational.
- The word saber is used for facts and information, but Spanish uses a different verb, conocer, to say you know a person or a place. You would never use conoces qué to introduce a piece of news.
- The word qué descends from the Latin word quid. This is the same root used in the English expression 'quid pro quo', which literally means 'something for something'.
Examples in context
- ¿Sabes qué día es?Do you know what day it is?This example shows the use of sabes qué in a question about a specific day.Tatoeba #1976550 by Shishir, translation #24597 by CK
- ¿Sabes qué nos trajo?Do you know what he brought us?This example shows the use of sabes qué in a question about an object brought by someone.Tatoeba #6686007 by arh, translation #9668522 by DJ_Saidez
- Sabes qué nos compró.You know what he bought us.This example shows the use of sabes qué in a statement about a purchase.Tatoeba #6686010 by arh, translation #8217189 by magnificentgoddess
- ¿Sabes qué? Deberíamos discutir este asunto en la próxima reunión.Know what? We should discuss this matter in the next meeting.
- ¿Tienes conocimiento de qué día fue la conferencia?Do you have knowledge of what day the conference was?
- ¡Hola! ¿Sabes qué? ¡Voy a viajar a España el próximo mes!Hey! Know what? I'm traveling to Spain next month!
- ¿Sabes qué? Me han ascendido en el trabajo.Know what? I got promoted at work.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía tells Alejandro some unexpected news while they are walking.
- Sofía¿Sabes qué? Me dieron el trabajo.You know what? They gave me the job.
- Alejandro¡No me digas! ¡Felicidades, Sofía!No way! Congratulations, Sofía!
- SofíaGracias, estoy muy feliz.Thanks, I am very happy.
- Alejandro¡Qué buena noticia, de verdad!That is such good news, really!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
