saber

m.

knowledge.

el saber no ocupa lugar (Prov) you can never know too much

El saber es un tesoro Knowledge is priceless.

v.

1 to know.

ya lo sé I know

de haberlo sabido (antes) o si lo llego a saber, me quedo en casa if I'd known, I'd have stayed at home

hacer saber algo a alguien to inform somebody of something, to tell somebody something

para que lo sepas, somos amigos we're friends, for your information

Ellos saben de eso They know about that.

Ellos saben la información They know the information.

2 to learn, to find out (enterarse de).

lo supe ayer I found out yesterday

¿sabes algo de Juan?, ¿qué sabes de Juan? have you had any news from o heard from Juan?

3 to know about (entender de).

sabe mucha física he knows a lot about physics

4 to taste.

saber bien/mal to taste good/bad

saber a cuernos o rayos (informal figurative) to taste disgusting o revolting

le supo mal (figurative) it upset o annoyed him (le enfadó)

me sabe mal mentirle (figurative) I feel bad about lying to him

Esto sabe bien This tastes good.

5 to know how to, to know, to know to.

Ellos saben pintar They know how to paint.

* * *

SABER

CONJUGACIÓN

Present Indicative

sé, sabes, sabe, sabemos, sabéis, saben.

Past Indicative

supe, supiste, supo, supimos, supisteis, supieron.

Future Indicative

sabré, sabrás, sabrá, sabremos, sabréis, sabrán.

Conditional

sabría, sabrías, sabría, sabríamos, sabríais, sabrían.

Present Subjunctive

sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepáis, sepan.

Imperfect Subjunctive

supiera, supieras, supiera, supiéramos, supierais, supieran;

supiese, supieses, supiese, supiésemos, supieseis, supiesen.

Future Subjunctive

supiere, supieres, supiere, supiéremos, supiereis, supieren.

Imperative

sabe (tú), sepa (él/Vd.), sepamos (nos.), sabed (vos.), sepan (ellos/Vds.).

* * *

1. verb

1) to know

2) can

3) learn

•

- a saber

- saber a 2. noun m.

knowledge

* * *

1. VT

1) (=tener conocimiento de)

a) [+ dato, información] to know

no sabía que era tu cumpleaños — I didn't know it was your birthday

sé que me has mentido — I know you've lied to me

lo sé — I know

sin saberlo yo — without my knowledge, without me knowing

• hacer saber algo a algn — to inform sb of sth, let sb know about sth

quiero hacerle saber que ... — I would like to inform o advise you that ...

el motivo de esta carta es hacerle saber que ... — I am writing to inform o advise you that ...

b) [locuciones]

• a saber — namely

dos planetas, a saber, Venus y la Tierra — two planets, namely Venus and Earth

a saber si realmente lo compró — I wonder whether he really did buy it

a saber dónde lo tiene guardado — I wonder where he has it hidden away

• ¡anda a saber! — LAm God knows!

• demasiado bien sé que ... — I know only too well that ...

¡no lo sabes bien! — * not half! *

• cualquiera sabe si ... — it's anybody's guess whether ...

• ¡de haberlo sabido! — if only I'd known!

• lo dudo, pero nunca se sabe — I doubt it, but you never know

• para que lo sepas — let me tell you, for your information

• que yo sepa — as far as I know

que sepamos — as far as we know

• un no sé qué — a certain something

un no sé qué de afectado — a certain (element of) affectation

• ¡quién sabe! — who knows!

¿quién sabe? — who knows?, who can tell?, who's to say?

• ¡si lo sabré yo! — I should know!

• tú sabrás (lo que haces) — I suppose you know (what you're doing)

¿tú qué sabes? — what do you know about it?

• ¡vete a saber! — God knows!

¡vete a saber de dónde ha venido! — goodness only knows where he came from!

vete tú a saber — your guess is as good as mine

• ya lo sabía yo — I thought as much

• ¡yo qué sé!, ¡qué sé yo! — how should I know!, search me! *

- cada uno sabe dónde le aprieta el zapato

- no sabía dónde meterse

- no saber ni papa

Briján

2) (=enterarse de) to find out

en cuanto lo supimos fuimos a ayudarle — as soon as we found out, we went to help him

cuando lo supe — when I heard o found out about it

lograron saber el secreto — they managed to learn the secret

3) (=tener noticias) to hear

desde hace seis meses no sabemos nada de él — we haven't heard from him for six months

4) (=tener destreza en)

¿sabes ruso? — do you speak Russian?, can you speak Russian?

no sé nada de cocina — I don't know anything about cookery, I know nothing about cookery

• saber hacer algo, sabe cuidar de sí mismo — he can take care of himself, he knows how to take care of himself

¿sabes nadar? — can you swim?

saben tratar muy bien al forastero — they know how to look after visitors

¿sabes ir? — do you know the way?

todavía no sabe orientarse por la ciudad — he still doesn't know his way around town

pocos campeones saben perder — few champions are good losers

es una persona que sabe escuchar — she's a good listener

5) LAm

saber hacer — to be in the habit of doing

no sabe venir por aquí — he doesn't usually come this way, he's not in the habit of coming along here

2. VI

1) (=tener conocimiento)

• saber de algo — to know of sth

sabe mucho de ordenadores — he knows a lot about computers

sé de un sitio muy bueno — I know of a very good place

hace mucho que no sabemos de ella — it's quite a while since we heard from her, we haven't had any news from her for quite a while

2) (=estar enterado) to know

costó muy caro, ¿sabe usted? — it was very expensive, you know

un 5% no sabe, no contesta — there were 5% "don't knows"

3) (=tener sabor) to taste

no sabe demasiado bien — it doesn't taste too good

sabe un poco amargo — it tastes rather bitter

• saber a — to taste of

esto sabe a queso — this tastes of cheese

esto sabe a demonio(s) — this tastes awful

saberle mal a algn —

me supo muy mal lo que hicieron — I didn't like what they did, I wasn't pleased o didn't feel good about what they did

no me sabe mal que un amigo me gaste bromas — I don't mind a friend playing jokes on me, it doesn't bother me having a friend play jokes on me

3.

See:

saberse

SABER Por regla general, si saber va seguido de un infinitivo, se traduce por can cuando indica una habilidad permanente y por know how cuando se trata de la capacidad de resolver un problema concreto. La construcción correspondiente habrá de ser can + ((INFINITIVO)) {sin} to {o} know how + ((INFINITIVO)) {con} to: Jaime sabe tocar el piano Jaime can play the piano ¿Sabes cambiar una rueda? Do you know how to change a wheel? Hay que tener en cuenta que know (sin how) nunca puede ir seguido directamente de un infinitivo en inglés. Para otros usos y ejemplos ver la entrada

* * *

I

masculino knowledge

una persona de gran saber — a person of great learning

el saber no ocupa lugar — one can never know too much

II 1.

verbo transitivo

1)

a) <nombre/dirección/canción> to know

ya lo sé — I know

no lo sé — I don't know

no sé cómo se llama — I don't know his name

así que or conque ya lo sabes — so now you know

no sabía que tenía hijos — I didn't know he had (any) children

para que lo sepas, yo no miento — (fam) for your information, I don't tell lies

si lo sabré yo! — don't I know it!

cállate ¿tú qué sabes? — shut up! what do you know about it?

yo qué sé dónde está! — how (on earth) should I know where he/it is! (colloq)

no se sabe si ... — they don't know if ...

no sé qué decirte — I really don't know what to say

¿a que no sabes qué? — (fam) you'll never guess what

tiene un no sé qué — she has a certain something

me da no sé qué decirte esto — I feel very awkward saying this to you

que yo sepa — as far as I know

saber algo de algo — to know something about something

sé muy poco de ese tema — I know very little about the subject

hacerle saber algo a alguien — (frml) to inform somebody of something

nos hizo saber su decisión — he informed us of his decision

b) (darse cuenta de) to know

no sabe lo que dice — he doesn't know what he's talking about

tú no sabes lo que es esto! — you can't imagine what it's like!

2) (ser capaz de)

saber + inf — to know how to + inf

¿sabes nadar/escribir a máquina? — can you swim/type?, do you know how to swim/type?

ya sabe leer y escribir — she can already read and write

sabe escuchar — she's a good listener

sabe hablar varios idiomas — she can speak several languages

no saben perder — they're bad losers

sabe defenderse — she knows how to o she can look after herself

3) (enterarse) to find out

lo supe por mi hermana — I found out about it through my sister

si es así, pronto se va a saber — if that's the case, we'll know o find out soon enough

sin que lo supiéramos — without our knowing

si yo lo hubiera sabido antes! — if I had only known before!

cómo iba yo a saber que ...! — how was I to know that ...!

¿se puede saber por qué? — may I ask why?

¿y tú dónde estabas, si se puede saber? — and where were you, I'd like to know?

4)

a saber — (frml) namely

2.

saber vi

Sentido I

1)

a) (tener conocimiento) to know

vete tú/vaya usted a saber — but who knows

¿quién sabe? — who knows?

saber de algo/alguien — to know of something/somebody

yo sé de un sitio donde te lo pueden arreglar — I know of a place where you can get it fixed

b) (tener noticias, enterarse)

saber de alguien/algo: no sé nada de ella desde hace más de un mes I haven't heard from her for over a month; yo supe del accidente por la radio I heard about the accident on the radio; no quiero saber de él — I want nothing to do with him

Sentido II

2)

a) (tener sabor) (+ compl) to taste

sabe dulce/bien/amargo — it tastes sweet/nice/bitter

saber a algo — to taste of something

sabe a ajo — it tastes of garlic

no sabe a nada — it has no taste to it

sabe a podrido — it tastes rotten

b) (causar cierta impresión)

saberle mal/bien a alguien: no le supo nada bien que ella bailara con otro he wasn't at all pleased that she danced with someone else; me sabe mal tener que decírselo — I don't like having to tell him

3.

saberse v pron (enf) <lección/poema> to know

se sabe todo el cuento de memoria — he knows the whole story off by heart

sabérselas todas — (fam) to know every trick in the book (colloq)

* * *

I

masculino knowledge

una persona de gran saber — a person of great learning

el saber no ocupa lugar — one can never know too much

II 1.

verbo transitivo

1)

a) <nombre/dirección/canción> to know

ya lo sé — I know

no lo sé — I don't know

no sé cómo se llama — I don't know his name

así que or conque ya lo sabes — so now you know

no sabía que tenía hijos — I didn't know he had (any) children

para que lo sepas, yo no miento — (fam) for your information, I don't tell lies

si lo sabré yo! — don't I know it!

cállate ¿tú qué sabes? — shut up! what do you know about it?

yo qué sé dónde está! — how (on earth) should I know where he/it is! (colloq)

no se sabe si ... — they don't know if ...

no sé qué decirte — I really don't know what to say

¿a que no sabes qué? — (fam) you'll never guess what

tiene un no sé qué — she has a certain something

me da no sé qué decirte esto — I feel very awkward saying this to you

que yo sepa — as far as I know

saber algo de algo — to know something about something

sé muy poco de ese tema — I know very little about the subject

hacerle saber algo a alguien — (frml) to inform somebody of something

nos hizo saber su decisión — he informed us of his decision

b) (darse cuenta de) to know

no sabe lo que dice — he doesn't know what he's talking about

tú no sabes lo que es esto! — you can't imagine what it's like!

2) (ser capaz de)

saber + inf — to know how to + inf

¿sabes nadar/escribir a máquina? — can you swim/type?, do you know how to swim/type?

ya sabe leer y escribir — she can already read and write

sabe escuchar — she's a good listener

sabe hablar varios idiomas — she can speak several languages

no saben perder — they're bad losers

sabe defenderse — she knows how to o she can look after herself

3) (enterarse) to find out

lo supe por mi hermana — I found out about it through my sister

si es así, pronto se va a saber — if that's the case, we'll know o find out soon enough

sin que lo supiéramos — without our knowing

si yo lo hubiera sabido antes! — if I had only known before!

cómo iba yo a saber que ...! — how was I to know that ...!

¿se puede saber por qué? — may I ask why?

¿y tú dónde estabas, si se puede saber? — and where were you, I'd like to know?

4)

a saber — (frml) namely

2.

saber vi

Sentido I

1)

a) (tener conocimiento) to know

vete tú/vaya usted a saber — but who knows

¿quién sabe? — who knows?

saber de algo/alguien — to know of something/somebody

yo sé de un sitio donde te lo pueden arreglar — I know of a place where you can get it fixed

b) (tener noticias, enterarse)

saber de alguien/algo: no sé nada de ella desde hace más de un mes I haven't heard from her for over a month; yo supe del accidente por la radio I heard about the accident on the radio; no quiero saber de él — I want nothing to do with him

Sentido II

2)

a) (tener sabor) (+ compl) to taste

sabe dulce/bien/amargo — it tastes sweet/nice/bitter

saber a algo — to taste of something

sabe a ajo — it tastes of garlic

no sabe a nada — it has no taste to it

sabe a podrido — it tastes rotten

b) (causar cierta impresión)

saberle mal/bien a alguien: no le supo nada bien que ella bailara con otro he wasn't at all pleased that she danced with someone else; me sabe mal tener que decírselo — I don't like having to tell him

3.

saberse v pron (enf) <lección/poema> to know

se sabe todo el cuento de memoria — he knows the whole story off by heart

sabérselas todas — (fam) to know every trick in the book (colloq)

* * *

saber¹

¹ = learning.

Ex: It is the responsibility of educators to stretch their student's intellects, hone their skills of intuitive judgment and synthesis, and build a love of learning that will sustain them beyond the level of formal education.

* ansia de saber = thirst for knowledge.

* a + Posesivo + saber = to the best of + Posesivo + knowledge.

* a + Posesivo + saber y entender = to the best of + Posesivo + knowledge and belief.

* cúmulo de saber = knowledge repository, repository of knowledge.

* hasta donde + Pronombre + saber = to the best of + Posesivo + knowledge.

* institución del saber = institution of learning.

* no querer saber más nada de = drop + Nombre + like a hot potato.

* por el bien del saber = for knowledge's sake.

* por el mero hecho de saber = for knowledge's sake.

* rama del saber = branch of learning.

* saber escuchar = listening capacity.

saber²

² = know, learn, find out.

Ex: However, in general, it is unreasonable to expect a user to know the ISBN of a book.

Ex: 'I'd be disappointed to learn that my boss or subordinates -- or peers for that matter -- told tales out of school about me to others'.

Ex: For example, a person can consult the system holdings files to find out whether a library in the network owns a copy of the document.

* a saber = namely, viz, to wit.

* capacidad de saber leer y escribir = literacy skills.

* curioso por saber = interrogator.

* de quién sabe dónde = out of the woodwork.

* hacer saber = let + Nombre + know, let + it be known.

* hacer saber la intención de uno = announce + intention.

* nada sabe mejor que sentirse delgado = nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

* no querer saber más nada de = drop + Nombre + like a hot brick.

* no querer saber nada de = want + nothing to do with.

* no saber cómo explicarlo = be at a loss to explain it.

* no saber cómo seguir = be stuck, get + stuck.

* no saber de = have + no understanding of.

* no saber dónde meterse de vergüenza = squirm with + embarrassment.

* no saber expresarse bien = inarticulateness.

* no saber más por ello = be none the wiser.

* no saber qué contestar = stump.

* no saber qué decir = be at a loss for words, be lost for words.

* no saber qué hacer = be at a loss, get out of + Posesivo + depth, be on the horns of a dilemma, be at a nonplus.

* no saber qué hacer a continuación = draw + a blank, be stuck, get + stuck.

* no saber qué hacer con = be at sixes and sevens with.

* no saber qué más hacer = be at + Posesivo + wit's end.

* no saberse cuándo = there + be + no telling when.

* no se sabe todavía = the jury is still out (on).

* nunca se sabe... = one never knows....

* persona que sabe contar anécdotas = raconteur.

* por lo que yo sé = to the best of my knowledge.

* quedar mucho por saber = there + be + a great deal yet to be learned, there + be + still a great deal to be learned.

* que sabe lo que = who knows what.

* ¿quién sabe? = who knows?.

* quién sabe lo que = who knows what.

* quién sabe qué = who knows what.

* saber a ciencia cierta = know for + certain, know for + sure, know for + a fact.

* saber a ciencia cierta que = know + for a fact that.

* saber argumentar Algo convincentemente = make + a business case.

* saber buscar con inteligencia = be search-savvy.

* saber con certeza = know for + certain, know for + sure, know for + a fact.

* saber contestar muy bien = be not at a loss for words.

* saber cúal es la verdad = discern + the truth.

* saber de algún modo = know + on some grounds.

* saber de buena boca = have + it on good word.

* saber de buena tinta = have + it on good word.

* saber defenderse = hold + Posesivo + own.

* saber de lo que Uno estar hablando = know + Posesivo + stuff.

* saber de seguro = know for + certain, know for + sure, know for + a fact.

* saber escuchar = listening skills.

* saber hacer = savoir faire.

* saber hacer cuentas = be numerate.

* saber interiormente = know + underneath.

* saber leer y escribir = be literate.

* saberlo todo = be omniscient.

* saberse Algo al dedillo = know + Nombre + inside-out, learn + Nombre + inside-out.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sabiendo diferenciar entre lo que vale y lo que no = discriminatingly.

* sabiendo que = on the understanding that.

* salir de quién sabe dónde = come out of + the woodwork.

* ser una incógnita = be anyone's guess.

* sin saberlo = unbeknown to, unbeknownst to.

* sin saber qué decir = nonplussed [nonplused].

* un no sé qué = a je ne sais quoi.

* y Dios sabe qué más = and Heaven knows what else.

saber³

³ = taste.

Ex: Professional skills are enhanced by the opportunity which IFLA provides to taste the cultures of other countries in a very accessible (dare I say privileged?) way.

* saber a = reek of.

* * *

saber¹

masculine

knowledge

un compendio del saber humano a compendium of human knowledge

una persona de gran saber a person of great learning

el saber no ocupa lugar one can never know too much

saber² [E25 ]

vt

A

1 ‹nombre/dirección/chiste/canción› to know

(ya) lo sé, pero aun así … I know, but even so …

quizás sea así, no lo sé that might be the case, I don't know

así que or conque ya lo sabes so now you know

¡no le habrás dicho nada de aquello que tú sabes! you didn't tell him anything about you know what, did you?

no sabía que tenía or tuviera hijos I didn't know he had (any) children

¿sabes lo que me dijo? do you know what he said to me?

¿sabes lo que te digo? ¡que me tienes harta! you know something? I'm fed up with you!

para que lo sepas, yo no miento (fam); for your information, I don't tell lies

es tan latoso … — ¡si lo sabré yo! he's such a nuisance — don't I know it!

cállate ¿tú qué sabes? shut up! what do you know about it?

¡yo qué sé dónde está tu diccionario! how (on earth) should I know where your dictionary is! (colloq)

no se sabe si se salvará they don't know if he'll pull through

no sabía dónde meterme I didn't know where to put myself

no supe qué decir I didn't know what to say

mira, no sé qué decirte look, I really don't know what to say

no lo saben a ciencia cierta they don't know for certain

¿a que no sabes a quién vi? (fam); I bet you don't know who I saw (colloq), you'll never guess who I saw

quién or cualquiera sabe dónde estará goodness only knows where it is

un tal Ricardo no sé cuántos (fam); Ricardo something-or-other (colloq)

le salió con no sé qué historias (fam); he came out with some story or other

tiene un no sé qué que la hace muy atractiva she has a certain something that makes her very attractive

ese hombre tiene un no sé qué que me cae mal there's something about that man I don't like

me da no sé qué tener que decirte esto I feel very awkward about having to say this to you

ya no viven allí, que yo sepa as far as I know, they don't live there anymore

¿tiene antecedentes? — que yo sepa no does she have any previous convictions? — not that I know of

—¿quién es ése? —quiso saber who's that? he wanted to know

sé muy poco de ese tema I know very little about the subject

sabe mucho sobre la segunda guerra mundial he knows a lot about the Second World War

2

hacerle saber algo a algn (frml): nos hizo saber su decisión he informed us of his decision

por la presente deseo hacerle saber que … (Corresp) I am pleased to advise you o to be able to inform you that …

la directiva hace saber a los señores socios que … the board wishes to inform members o advises members that …

3 (darse cuenta) to know

¡tú no sabes lo que es esto! you can't imagine what it's like!

está furiosa, no sabes lo que te espera she's furious, you don't know what you're in for

perdónalos Señor, porque no saben lo que hacen (Bib) forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do

B (ser capaz de) saber + INF:

¿sabes nadar/cocinar/escribir a máquina? can you swim/cook/type?

ya sabe leer y escribir she can already read and write

sabe escuchar she's a good listener

no saben perder they're bad losers

no sabe tratar con la gente he doesn't know how to deal with people

no te preocupes, ella sabe defenderse don't worry, she knows how to o she can look after herself

este niño no sabe estarse quieto this child is incapable of keeping still o just can't keep still

C

a saber (frml); namely

lo forman cuatro países, a saber: Suecia, Noruega, Dinamarca y Finlandia it is made up of four countries, namely Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland

D (enterarse) to find out

no lo supimos hasta ayer we didn't find out until yesterday

lo supe por mi hermana I found out about it through my sister, I heard about it o (frml) learned of it through my sister

si es así, pronto se va a saber if that's the case, we'll know soon enough

¡si yo lo hubiera sabido antes! if I had only known before!

¿que qué me dijo de ti? ¡no quieras saberlo! what did she say about you? don't ask! o you wouldn't want to know!

¿se puede saber qué estabas haciendo allí? would you mind telling me what you were doing there?

¿y tú dónde estabas, si se puede saber? and where were you, I'd like to know?

■ saber

vi

Sentido I

A

1 to know

¿crees que vendrá? — supongo que sí, aunque con ella nunca se sabe do you think she'll come? — I suppose so, although you never know o you can never tell with her

dice que ella se lo dio, vete tú/vaya usted a saber he says she gave it to him, but who knows

no puede ser verdad — ¿quién sabe? a lo mejor sí it can't be true — who knows, it could be

parece incapaz de eso, pero nunca se sabe or cualquiera sabe he doesn't seem capable of such a thing, but you never know

él que sabe, sabe (fr hecha); it's easy when you know how

2 saber DE algo/algn to know (of) sth/sb

yo sé de un sitio donde te lo pueden arreglar I know (of) a place where you can get it fixed

¿sabes de alguien que haya estado allí? do you know (of) anyone who's been there?

3 (tener noticias) saber DE algn:

no sé nada de ella desde hace más de un mes I haven't heard from her for over a month

no quiero saber nada más de él I want nothing more to do with him

B (enterarse) saber DE algo:

yo supe del accidente por la radio I heard about the accident on the radio

si llegas a saber de una cámara barata, avísame if you hear of a cheap camera, let me know

Sentido II

A (tener sabor) (+ compl) to taste

sabe muy dulce/bien/amargo it tastes very sweet/nice/bitter

saber A algo to taste OF sth

sabe a ajo/almendra it tastes of garlic/almonds, it has a garlicky/almondy taste

esta sopa no sabe a nada this soup doesn't taste of anything o has no taste to it

sabe a quemado/podrido it tastes burnt/rotten

tenía tanta hambre que el arroz me supo a gloria I was so hungry the rice tasted delicious

B

(causar cierta impresión): saberle mal/bien a algn: no le supo nada bien que ella bailara con otro he wasn't at all pleased that she danced with someone else

me sabe mal tener que decirle que no otra vez I don't like having to say no to him again, I feel bad having to say no to him again

■ saberse

v pron

A (enf) (fam) (conocer) ‹lección/poema› to know

se sabe todo el cuento de memoria he knows the whole story off by heart

se sabe los nombres de todos los jugadores del equipo he knows the names of every player in the team

sabérselas todas (fam): este niño se las sabe todas this child knows every trick in the book (colloq)

se cree que se las sabe todas she thinks she has all the answers

B (refl) (saber que se es) (+ compl):

se sabe atractiva she knows she's attractive

* * *

 

saber 1 sustantivo masculino
knowledge;

◊ una persona de gran saber a person of great learning

saber 2 (conjugate saber) verbo transitivo
1

a) ‹nombre/dirección/canción› to know;

◊ ya lo sé I know;

no lo sé I don't know;
no sé cómo se llama I don't know his name;
¡yo qué sé! how (on earth) should I know! (colloq);
que yo sepa as far as I know;
saber algo de algo to know sth about sth;
sé muy poco de ese tema I know very little about the subject;
no sabe lo que dice he doesn't know what he's talking about

b) (enterarse) to find out;

◊ lo supe por mi hermana I found out about it through my sister;

sin que lo supiéramos without our knowing;
¡si yo lo hubiera sabido antes! if I had only known before!;
¡cómo iba yo a saber que …! how was I to know that …!
2 (ser capaz de):

◊ saber hacer algo to know how to do sth;

¿sabes nadar? can you swim?, do you know how to swim?;
sabe escuchar she's a good listener;
sabe hablar varios idiomas she can speak several languages
verbo intransitivo

a) (tener conocimiento) to know;

◊ ¿quién sabe? who knows?;

saber de algo/algn to know of sth/sb;
yo sé de un lugar donde te lo pueden arreglar I know of a place where you can get it fixed

b) (tener noticias, enterarse):

◊ no sé nada de ella desde hace más de un mes I haven't heard from her for over a month;

yo supe del accidente por la radio I heard about the accident on the radio

a) (tener sabor) (+ compl) to taste;

◊ sabe dulce/bien it tastes sweet/nice;

saber a algo to taste of sth;
no sabe a nada it doesn't taste of anything;
sabe a podrido it tastes rotten

b) (causar cierta impresión): me sabe mal or no me sabe bien tener que decírselo I don't like having to tell him

saberse verbo pronominal (enf) ‹lección/poema› to know
saber sustantivo masculino knowledge, learning, information
saber
I verbo transitivo
1 (una cosa) to know: no sé su dirección, I don't know her address
para que lo sepas, for your information
que yo sepa, as far as I know
2 (hacer algo) to know how to: no sabe nadar, he can't swim
3 (capacidad, destreza) sabe dibujar muy bien, he knows how to draw really well
4 (comportarse, reaccionar) can: no sabe aguantar una broma, she can't take a joke
no sabe perder, he's a bad loser
5 (tener conocimientos elevados sobre una materia) sabe mucho de música, she knows a lot about music
6 (enterarse) to learn, find out: lo llamé en cuanto lo supe, I called him as soon as I heard about it
7 (estar informado) sabía que te ibas a retrasar, he knew that you were going to be late
8 (imaginar) no sabes qué frío hacía, you can't imagine how cold it was
II verbo intransitivo
1 (sobre una materia) to know [de, of]: sé de un restaurante buenísimo, I know of a very good restaurant
2 (tener noticias) (de alguien por él mismo) to hear from sb
(de alguien por otros) to have news of sb
(de un asunto) to hear about sthg
3 (tener sabor) to taste [a, of]: este guiso sabe a quemado, this stew tastes burnt
4 (producir agrado o desagrado) to like, please: me supo mal que no viniera, it upset me that he didn't come
♦ Locuciones: el saber no ocupa lugar, you can never learn too much
me ha sabido a poco, I couldn't get enough of it
quién sabe, who knows
vas a saber lo que es bueno, I'll show you what's what
vete a saber, God knows
a saber, namely
'saber' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
atenerse
- ávida
- ávido
- básica
- básico
- carta
- cojear
- combinar
- comparecencia
- conjugar
- consuelo
- convenir
- cuerno
- dedillo
- demonio
- desconocer
- diferenciar
- economía
- entender
- estimable
- estribar
- eufórica
- eufórico
- gloria
- impresión
- latín
- morbosa
- morboso
- puesta
- puesto
- relacionarse
- sable
- si
- terrena
- terreno
- tinta
- bien
- ciencia
- conocer
- conocimiento
- deber
- derecho
- experiencia
- feo
- hallar
- llegar
- lo
- mal
- memoria
- porqué
English:
acquaint
- aware
- can
- certain
- curious
- flounder
- fortuneteller
- guess
- hand
- hear
- horrify
- know
- learning
- namely
- nice
- pat
- pride
- should
- taste
- tell
- truck
- understand
- unknowingly
- wisdom
- able
- appreciation
- authority
- claim
- copy
- early
- funny
- heart
- knowledge
- let
- priority
- realize
- reassuring
- right
- saber
- sabre
- score
- skill
- stump
- suppose
- viz
- way

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saber

♦ nm

knowledge;

Formal

según mi/nuestro/etc[m5]. leal saber y entender to the best of my/our/etc knowledge;

Prov

el saber no ocupa lugar you can never know too much

♦ vt

1. [conocer] to know;

ya lo sé I know;

no lo sé I don't know;

yo no sabía nada de eso I didn't know anything about that;

no sabía que eras médico I didn't know you were a doctor;

ya sé lo que vas a decir I know what you're going to say;

de haberlo sabido (antes) o [m5]si lo llego a saber, me quedo en casa if I'd known, I'd have stayed at home;

es de o [m5]por todos sabido que… it's common knowledge that…, everyone knows that…;

hacer saber algo a alguien to inform sb of sth, to tell sb sth;

para que lo sepas, somos amigos we're friends, for your information;

¿sabes qué (te digo)?, que no me arrepiento you know what, I don't regret it;

si lo sabré yo, que tengo cuatro hijos you're telling me! I've got four children!;

sin yo saberlo, sin saberlo yo without my knowledge;

Fig

no sabía dónde meterme I didn't know where to put myself, I wanted to crawl under a rock;

no sabe lo que (se) hace she doesn't know what she's doing;

no sabe lo que tiene he doesn't realize just how lucky he is;

Fam

te ha llamado un tal Antonio no sé cuántos there was a call for you from Antonio something or other;

no sé qué decir I don't know what to say;

¡qué sé yo!, ¡y yo qué sé! how should I know!;

¡qué sé yo la de veces que me caí de la bici! heaven knows how many times I fell off my bike!;

Irónico

como te pille vas a saber lo que es bueno just wait till I get my hands on you!;

Irónico

cuando hagas la mili sabrás lo que es bueno you'll be in for a nasty surprise when you do your military service;

tener un no sé qué to have a certain something;

Fam

y no sé qué y no sé cuántos and so on and so forth

2. [ser capaz de]

saber hacer algo to be able to do sth, to know how to do sth;

¿sabes cocinar? can you cook?;

no sé nadar I can't swim, I don't know how to swim;

sabe hablar inglés/montar en bici she can speak English/ride a bike;

sabe perder he's a good loser;

su problema es que no saben beber [beben demasiado] their problem is they don't know when to stop drinking

3. [enterarse de] to learn, to find out;

lo supe ayer/por los periódicos I found (it) out yesterday/in the papers;

supe la noticia demasiado tarde I only heard the news when it was too late;

¿sabes algo de Juan?, ¿qué sabes de Juan? have you had any news from o heard from Juan?;

¿sabes algo de cuándo será el examen? have you heard anything about when the exam's going to be?

4. [entender de] to know about;

sabe mucha física he knows a lot about physics

♦ vi

1. [tener sabor] to taste (a of);

a mí me sabe a fresa it tastes of strawberries to me;

sabe mucho a cebolla it has a very strong taste of onions, it tastes very strongly of onions;

esto no sabe a nada this has no taste to it, this doesn't taste of anything;

saber bien/mal to taste good/bad;

¡qué bien sabe este pan! this bread's really tasty!, this bread tastes really good!;

esta agua sabe this water has a funny taste;

Comp

Fam

saber a cuerno quemado o [m5]a rayos to taste disgusting o revolting

2. [sentar]

le supo mal [le enfadó] it upset o annoyed him;

me sabe mal mentirle I feel bad about lying to him;

Comp

Fam

saber a cuerno quemado o [m5]a rayos: sus comentarios me supieron a cuerno quemado o [m5]a rayos I thought his comments were really off

3. [tener conocimiento] to know;

no sé de qué me hablas I don't know what you're talking about;

sé de una tienda que vende discos de vinilo I know of a shop that sells vinyl records;

que yo sepa as far as I know;

¡quién sabe!, ¡vete (tú) a saber!, ¡vaya usted a saber! who knows!;

pues, sabes, a mí no me importaría I wouldn't mind, you know;

es vecino mío, ¿sabes? he's my neighbour, you know;

Comp

Méx Fam

¡sepa Pancha!, ¡sepa la bola! who knows?

4. [entender]

saber de algo to know about sth;

¿tú sabes de mecánica? do you know (anything) about mechanics?;

ése sí que sabe he's a canny one

5. [tener noticia]

saber de alguien to hear from sb;

no sé de él desde hace meses I haven't heard (anything) from him for months;

saber de algo to learn of sth;

supe de su muerte por los periódicos I learnt of her death in the papers;

no quiero saber (nada) de ti I don't want to have anything to do with you

6. [parecer]

eso me sabe a disculpa that sounds like an excuse to me;

este postre me ha sabido a poco I could have done with the dessert being a bit bigger;

las vacaciones me han sabido a muy poco my holidays weren't nearly long enough, I could have done with my holidays being a lot longer

7. Am [soler]

saber hacer algo to be in the habit of doing sth

♦ See also the pronominal verb saberse

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saber

I v/t

1 know;

hacer saber algo a alguien let s.o. know sth;

¿cómo lo sabes? how do you know?;

¡si lo sabré yo! don’t I know it!;

¡para que lo sepas! so there!;

sabérselas todas fam know every trick in the book

2 (ser capaz de)

:

saber hacer algo know how to do sth, be able to do sth;

sé nadar/leer I can swim/read;

saber alemán know German

3 (enterarse) find out;

lo supe ayer I found out yesterday

II v/i

1 know (de about);

¡vete a saber!, ¡vaya usted a saber! heaven knows;

¡quién sabe! who knows!;

¡qué sé yo! who knows?;

que yo sepa as far as I know;

no que yo sepa not as far as I know;

hace mucho que no sé de ella I haven’t heard from her for a long time

2 (tener sabor) taste (a of);

me sabe a quemado it tastes burnt to me;

las vacaciones me han sabido a poco my vacation went much too quickly;

me sabe mal fig it upsets me

III m knowledge, learning

IV

:

a saber namely

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saber {71} vt

1) : to know

2) : to know how to, to be able to

sabe tocar el violín: she can play the violin

3) : to learn, to find out

4)

a saber : to wit, namely

saber vi

1) : to know, to suppose

2) : to be informed

supimos del desastre: we heard about the disaster

3) : to taste

esto no sabe bien: this doesn't taste right

4)

saber a : to taste like

sabe a naranja: it tastes like orange

♦ See also the reflexive verb saberse

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saber vb

1. (en general) to know [pt. knew; pp. known]

sabe mucho de política he knows a lot about politics

¿alguien sabe lo que ha pasado? does anyone know what happened?

sé llegar al parque I know how to get to the park

no sé dónde está el coche I don't know where the car is

2. (tener capacidad, habilidad) can [pt. could]

sabe tocar el piano she can play the piano

¿sabes cocinar? can you cook?

3. (hablar) to speak [pt. spoke; pp. spoken]

sabe inglés y francés she speaks English and French

4. (tener noticias) to hear [pt. & pp. heard]

hace mucho tiempo que no sé nada de ellos I haven't heard anything from them for ages

5. (enterarse ) to find out [pt. & pp. found]

cuando supe que era su cumpleaños ... when I found out it was her birthday ...

6. (tener sabor) to taste

este helado sabe a avellana this ice cream tastes of hazelnuts

este potaje no sabe a nada this stew has no taste

saber mal una cosa a alguien (disgustar, enfadar) to be upset / not to like

le supo mal que se fueran sin ella she was upset that they went without her

me sabe mal no acompañarte hasta tu casa I don't like not walking you home

que yo sepa as far as I know

vete a saber goodness knows / it's anyone's guess

vete a saber dónde estarán las llaves it's anyone's guess where the keys are

¡yo qué sé! how should I know?