Inklingo
Dictionary

sabés

sah-BESSsaˈβes

“sabés” means “you know” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

you knowA1Verb

knowing a fact or piece of information

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you know how toA2Verb

having a skill or ability

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you knowAlso: you understand

VerbA1irregular (does not follow the standard pattern) erinformal
ArgentinaUruguay
A person pointing with one finger to a specific spot on a colorful world globe with a confident smile.
gerundsabiendo (knowing)
past Participlesabido (known)
infinitivesaber (to know)

📝 In Action

¿Sabés dónde está la parada del autobús?

A1

Do you know where the bus stop is?

Vos sabés que tengo razón.

A1

You know that I'm right.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ya sabés – you already know / you know the drill
  • viste como es, ¿sabés? – you know how it is, right?

Idioms & Expressions

  • ¿Sabés qué? – Used to introduce a new idea or surprise

you know how to

VerbA2irregular erinformal
A person riding a red bicycle confidently on a path without training wheels.

📝 In Action

¿Sabés cocinar empanadas?

A2

Do you know how to cook empanadas?

Vos sabés manejar muy bien.

A2

You know how to drive very well.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • saber de – to know about (a subject)

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yosupiera
túsupieras
él/ella/ustedsupiera
nosotrossupiéramos
vosotrossupierais
ellos/ellas/ustedessupieran

Present Subjunctive

yosepa
túsepas
él/ella/ustedsepa
nosotrossepamos
vosotrossepáis
ellos/ellas/ustedessepan

Indicative

Preterite

yosupe
túsupiste
él/ella/ustedsupo
nosotrossupimos
vosotrossupisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedessupieron

Imperfect

yosabía
túsabías
él/ella/ustedsabía
nosotrossabíamos
vosotrossabíais
ellos/ellas/ustedessabían

Present

yosé
túsabés (used with 'vos')
él/ella/ustedsabe
nosotrossabemos
vosotrossabéis
ellos/ellas/ustedessaben
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sabés

Question 1 of 1

If you are in Buenos Aires and want to ask someone if they know the way, which would you say?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
sabiduría(wisdom) — Noun
sabio(wise) — Adjective
sabiondo(know-it-all) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
estésfrancésvez
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'sapere', which originally meant 'to taste'. Over time, it shifted to mean 'to have good taste' or 'to be wise', and eventually 'to know'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: sapereFrench: savoir

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'sabes' and 'sabés'?

The only difference is regional! 'Sabes' is used with 'tú' (common in Mexico, Spain, etc.), while 'sabés' is used with 'vos' (common in Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Central America).