supe
SOO-peh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Supe la verdad ayer durante la reunión.
A2I found out the truth yesterday during the meeting.
Cuando supe que te ibas, me puse triste.
B1When I learned/found out you were leaving, I got sad.
Intenté arreglar el coche, pero no supe cómo.
B2I tried to fix the car, but I didn't know how (or couldn't figure out how).
💡 Grammar Points
Supe vs. Sabía
This word ('supe') is the simple past, used to talk about the moment you gained knowledge. If you want to talk about knowledge you possessed over a period of time in the past, use the imperfect form: 'Sabía que venías' (I knew you were coming).
Irregular Preterite
The verb 'saber' is highly irregular in the simple past, using the stem 'sup-'. This pattern is shared with a few other common verbs, like 'tener' (tuve) and 'estar' (estuve).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Knowing vs. Finding Out
Mistake: "Using 'sabía' when meaning a sudden realization: 'Sabía la fecha ayer.' (I knew the date yesterday)."
Correction: Use 'supe' to emphasize discovery: 'Supe la fecha ayer.' (I found out the date yesterday). 'Sabía' means you possessed the knowledge beforehand.
⭐ Usage Tips
Translate as 'Found Out'
When you use 'supe', it's often more natural to translate it as 'I found out' or 'I learned' (in the sense of gaining information), rather than just 'I knew,' which often implies the imperfect form in Spanish.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: supe
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'supe' to express a sudden realization?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'supe' considered an irregular verb?
'Supe' is irregular because its stem (the base of the verb) completely changes in the simple past tense. Instead of following the pattern of the infinitive 'saber,' it uses the special root 'sup-'.
Can 'supe' also mean 'I managed to'?
Yes, 'supe' (in the simple past) can imply effort and success, similar to 'I managed to' or 'I was able to,' especially when used in the negative: 'No supe contestar' (I couldn't figure out how to answer).