Present of saber
Saber (to know) is irregular in the present: sabi, sabes, sap, sabèm, sabètz, sabon.
How It Works
Saber means to know. Only the third person singular is irregular: sap.
| Who | saber |
|---|---|
| ieu | sabi |
| tu | sabes |
| el, ela | sap |
| nosautres | sabèm |
| vosautres | sabètz |
| eles, elas | sabon |
The Vèrbòc also lists sai for ieu and sas for tu. Both are correct. This course uses sabi and sabes. Write sap with a final -p, never sab.
Use saber for a fact (Joan sap l'occitan), for a question you can answer (Sabi pas ont es la gara) and for a skill, followed by an infinitive (Maria sap cantar).
Examples (5)
- Sabi pas ont es la gara.
I do not know where the station is.
Sabi: negated with pas after the verb.
- Sabes nadar?
Can you swim?
Sabes plus an infinitive means can, as a skill.
- Maria sap cantar.
Maria can sing.
Sap: the third person ends in -p.
- Joan sap l'occitan.
Joan knows Occitan.
Sap with a noun means knows.
- Sabèm pas.
We do not know.
Sabèm: the stress is on the ending.
Common Mistakes
Using the Spanish form
Maria sabe cantar.Maria sap cantar.Sabe is Spanish. In Occitan the third person is sap.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Saber uses the same endings as the -re present, so that present comes first.
Related Patterns
- poder, voler, saber, dever + InfinitiveVerbs Followed by an Infinitive
Saber takes a second verb in the infinitive.
Level 2 - Present of poder
Poder says what is possible, where saber says what you know how to do.
Level 2 - Two Correct Forms
Sabi and sai are both correct.
Foundations - Negation With pas
Pas goes after the verb: Sabi pas.
Level 1 - ontWhere
Ont starts the question inside Sabi pas ont es la gara.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Present of saber in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Occitan lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
