saber
/saˈbeɾ/
To know in Spanish is saber.
saber is used to talk about factual information, knowledge or skills. You can use the construction saber followed by an infinitive to express knowing how to perform a specific skill or action.
Which one should you use?
While saber is used for facts and skills, you should use conocer when you mean to be acquainted with a person, a place or to be familiar with a thing through experience.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific fact or a piece of information that was previously mentioned, the direct object pronoun lo is often attached to the end of the verb, as seen in the form saberlo.
How do you pronounce it?
/saˈbeɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, saber is used in expressions regarding the smell or taste of something, reflecting its origin in the sense of taste.
- The Spanish word saber shares a common ancestor with the English words 'savvy' and 'savor'.
- The Spanish phrase ya lo sé can be used not just to mean 'I already know', but as a way to dismiss someone who is lecturing you.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo iba a saberlo?How was I supposed to know?This sentence uses saber to ask how one could know a specific fact.Tatoeba #1991949 by marcelostockle, translation #1991925 by Spamster
- ¿Cómo lo voy a saber?How am I supposed to know?This sentence uses saber to ask how one is supposed to know a piece of information.Tatoeba #10556119 by Shishir, translation #8601879 by ajje
- Quiero saber qué pasó.I want to know what happened.This sentence uses saber to express a desire to know what happened.Tatoeba #2081612 by marcelostockle, translation #2013583 by CK
- ¿Sabe usted a qué hora sale el tren?Do you know what time the train leaves?
- El director conoce a los empleados recién contratados.The director knows the newly hired employees.
- ¿Sabes qué pasó en la fiesta ayer?Do you know what happened at the party yesterday?
- Me enteré de una nueva serie de televisión muy interesante.I found out about a very interesting TV series.
- No conozco a Juan personalmente, pero sé mucho sobre él.I don't personally know Juan, but I know a lot about him.
- 610 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about a new restaurant in town.
- Alejandro¿Sabes si el restaurante es caro?Do you know if the restaurant is expensive?
- SofíaNo lo sé, pero es muy popular.I don't know, but it is very popular.
- AlejandroYo quiero saber el precio antes de ir.I want to know the price before going.
- SofíaTe lo diré más tarde, Alejandro.I will tell you later, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry saber, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries saber, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
