saber + Infinitive

Know How to

Level 1

Use 'saber + infinitive' to talk about skills you have learned, like knowing how to swim or speak a language.

How It Works

The structure saber + infinitive is a straightforward way to talk about learned skills and abilities. Unlike in English where we say "I know how to swim," in Spanish, the "how to" is built into the meaning of 'saber' when it's followed by an infinitive.

The formula is simple:
Subject + conjugated form of saber + infinitive verb

First, you need to conjugate saber. It's mostly regular in the present tense, except for the 'yo' form, which is irregular.

  • (yo) sé
  • (tú) sabes
  • (él/ella/usted) sabe
  • (nosotros/as) sabemos
  • (vosotros/as) sabéis
  • (ellos/ellas/ustedes) saben

For example:
Yo sé nadar.
Yo sé (I know) + nadar (to swim) = I know how to swim.

This pattern is different from poder + infinitive, which means "to be able to" or "can."

  • Sé conducir. (I know how to drive. - I have the skill).
  • No puedo conducir hoy. (I can't drive today. - I am unable to, maybe the car is broken).

Skill, Possibility And Method
Saber in this pattern focuses on knowing how to do something. Poder has a broader range, including ability, permission and practical possibility; it is not confined to one moment. No sé cómo llegar states that the speaker does not know how to get there. Its embedded interrogative clause concerns the method or route, so using cómo is also grammatical. Some American varieties, especially Andean Spanish, also use saber + infinitive for habitual events; this entry practices the broadly shared skill meaning.

Examples (5)

  1. Mi hermana sabe cocinar muy bien.

    My sister knows how to cook very well.

    Word by Word: My sister knows to cook very well.

  2. ¿Sabes hablar español?

    Do you know how to speak Spanish?

    Word by Word: Know you to speak Spanish?

  3. No sé usar esta computadora.

    I don't know how to use this computer.

    Word by Word: Not I know to use this computer.

  4. Ellos saben bailar salsa.

    They know how to dance salsa.

    Word by Word: They know to dance salsa.

  5. Sabemos leer en francés, pero no sabemos hablarlo.

    We know how to read in French, but we don't know how to speak it.

    Word by Word: We know to read in French, but not we know to speak it.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a knowledge expression for an intended practical obstacle.

    No sé ir a la fiesta esta noche porque estoy enfermo.
    No puedo ir a la fiesta esta noche porque estoy enfermo.

    If illness prevents attendance, No puedo ir expresses that intended obstacle. No sé ir can instead concern not knowing how to get there; it is not inherently ungrammatical. The contrast is about the intended meaning, not a complete ban on saber with ir.

How It Connects

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

saber + InfinitiveLevel 1Know How to

Learn This First

To use 'saber + infinitive', you need to know how to conjugate -er verbs in the present tense (specifically the irregular 'yo sé' form and regular endings for other subjects) and understand the structure of combining a conjugated verb with an infinitive to express a specific function.

Words in This Pattern

saber