Saber

Spanish for Should

Knowing how to use the Spanish word “saber” is essential for effective communication. “Saber” means “to know” and is used to express knowledge, certainty, or ability. It is an irregular verb, meaning that it does not follow the typical conjugation patterns of regular verbs.

Conjugating Saber

Saber is conjugated differently depending on the subject pronoun and the tense. Here are the conjugations for the present, preterite, and imperfect tenses:

Using Saber

Saber is used in a variety of contexts, including:

• Expressing knowledge: Yo sé que mañana es lunes. (I know that tomorrow is Monday.)
• Expressing certainty: Ella sabe que tiene razón. (She knows that she is right.)
• Expressing ability: Él sabe tocar la guitarra. (He knows how to play the guitar.)

Saber vs. Conocer

Saber and conocer are both verbs that mean “to know,” but they have different nuances. Saber is used to express knowledge that is acquired through study or experience, while conocer is used to express knowledge that is acquired through familiarity or acquaintance.

For example:

• Yo sé la capital de España. (I know the capital of Spain.) (I learned it in school.)
• Yo conozco a tu hermana. (I know your sister.) (I have met her before.)

Exercises

1. Conjugate the following verbs:

• Saber
• Conocer

2. Translate the following sentences into Spanish:

• I know that today is Tuesday.
• She knows how to speak English.
• They know that they are wrong.

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of saber or conocer:

• Él no _ mi nombre.
• Yo _ que el examen es difícil.
• Ellos _ dónde está la biblioteca.

Answers

1. Conjugation:

• Saber: sé, sabes, sabe, sabemos, sabéis, saben
• Conocer: conozco, conoces, conoce, conocemos, conocéis, conocen

2. Translation:

• Yo sé que hoy es martes.
• Ella sabe hablar inglés.
• Ellos saben que están equivocados.

3. Fill in the blanks:

• Él no conoce mi nombre.
• Yo sé que el examen es difícil.
• Ellos saben dónde está la biblioteca.