saiba/saibas/saiba/saibamos/saibam

Subjuntivo De Saber

Level 3

The present subjunctive of saber is saiba. It is used when 'knowing' is not a certainty, but a wish, a doubt, or a conditional statement.

How It Works

The present subjunctive of saber is essential for expressing uncertainty or requirements regarding information.

1. Conjugation:
The verb uses the irregular stem saib- followed by the standard -ER/-IR subjunctive endings:

  • Eu saiba
  • Tu saibas
  • Você/Ele/Ela saiba
  • Nós saibamos
  • Vocês/Eles/Elas saibam

2. Key Usage: 'Que eu saiba'
This is a very common 'hedge' in Portuguese. It translates to 'As far as I know' or 'To my knowledge.' It signals that you are providing information but acknowledge you might not have the full picture.

3. Common Triggers:
Like other subjunctive verbs, it appears after:

  • Doubt: 'Duvido que ele saiba.' (I doubt he knows.)
  • Necessity: 'É preciso que todos saibam.' (It is necessary that everyone knows.)
  • Negative Opinions: 'Não acho que ela saiba a verdade.' (I don't think she knows the truth.)

Examples (4)

  1. Que eu saiba, a reunião ainda não foi cancelada.

    As far as I know, the meeting hasn't been canceled yet.

    Word by Word: That I know (subj.), the meeting yet not was canceled.

    This uses the fixed expression 'Que eu saiba' to indicate limited knowledge.

  2. É importante que você saiba falar português para o emprego.

    It is important that you know how to speak Portuguese for the job.

    Word by Word: It is important that you know (subj.) to speak Portuguese for the job.

    The trigger 'É importante que' requires the subjunctive mood.

  3. Duvido que eles saibam o que aconteceu ontem.

    I doubt they know what happened yesterday.

    Word by Word: I doubt that they know (subj.) the what happened yesterday.

    The verb 'duvidar' (to doubt) always triggers the subjunctive because it expresses uncertainty.

  4. Espero que nós saibamos o resultado amanhã.

    I hope that we know the result tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I hope that we know (subj.) the result tomorrow.

    The verb 'esperar' (to hope) triggers the subjunctive to express a wish.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sabe' (indicative) after verbs of doubt.

    Não acho que ele sabe a resposta.
    Não acho que ele saiba a resposta.

    In formal or standard Portuguese, 'Não acho que' (I don't think that) requires the subjunctive 'saiba' because it expresses an opinion/uncertainty.

  • Confusing 'saiba' (present) with 'souber' (future).

    Quando eu saiba a verdade, te conto.
    Quando eu souber a verdade, te conto.

    Use 'saiba' for current doubts or wishes. Use 'souber' (future subjunctive) for conditions that haven't happened yet but might in the future.

  • Adding 'como' for skills (English influence).

    Espero que ele saiba como nadar.
    Espero que ele saiba nadar.

    In Portuguese, 'saber' is followed directly by the infinitive when referring to a skill. You don't need to translate the 'how' from 'know how to'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

saiba/saibas/saiba/saibamos/saibamLevel 3Subjuntivo De Saber

Learn This First

To learn the irregular subjunctive forms of 'saber' (saiba, saibas, etc.), you first need to understand the standard present subjunctive endings for -ER verbs. It is also helpful to be familiar with the verb's irregular behavior in other tenses like the preterite and to have seen other irregular subjunctive paradigms like that of the verb 'ser'.

Words in This Pattern

saber