sé
“sé” means “I know” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
I know
📝 In Action
Yo sé la respuesta.
A1I know the answer.
No sé dónde están mis llaves.
A1I don't know where my keys are.
Sé nadar muy bien.
A2I know how to swim very well.
Sé que es difícil, pero puedes hacerlo.
B1I know it's difficult, but you can do it.
Be
📝 In Action
Sé amable con tu hermano.
A2Be kind to your brother.
¡Sé tú mismo!
A2Be yourself!
Para ser un buen amigo, sé honesto.
B1To be a good friend, be honest.
Sé paciente, por favor.
A2Be patient, please.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
🔀 Commonly Confused With
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: sé
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'sé' to mean 'I know'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Sé' has two separate origins. The meaning 'I know' comes from the Latin 'sapiō'. The meaning 'be' (a command) comes from the Latin 'sedēre', which meant 'to sit' or 'to remain', and eventually became part of the verb for 'to be'.
First recorded: 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'sé' and 'se'?
The accent mark is everything! 'Sé' with an accent is a verb, meaning either 'I know' (from saber) or 'Be' (a command from ser). 'Se' without an accent is a pronoun, a small word used in many ways, often meaning 'oneself', 'himself', or 'herself'.
Why are there two completely different meanings for 'sé'?
It's a coincidence of language evolution. Two different Latin verbs, 'sapiō' (to know) and 'sedēre' (to sit, which became part of 'to be'), ended up having forms that, after centuries of change, sounded and were spelled exactly the same in modern Spanish. The accent mark helps us tell them apart from the word 'se'.