Inklingo

How to Say "you knew" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sabías

verbA2general
Use 'sabías' when referring to a past state of possessing information or knowing a fact.

Examples

No me dijiste nada, pero yo ya lo sabías.

You didn't tell me anything, but I already knew it.

conocías

verbB1familiar
Use 'conocías' to express familiarity with a person, place, or thing in the past.

Examples

¿Tú conocías a mi primo Juan?

Did you know my cousin Juan (back then)?

supiste

soo-PEES-teh/suˈpiste/

verbA2general
Use 'supiste' when the knowledge was acquired suddenly or at a specific point in time, implying a realization or finding out.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a young person with an expression of sudden realization. A bright, glowing yellow lightbulb is floating directly above their head, signifying the moment knowledge was acquired.

Examples

¿Cuándo supiste la verdad sobre el proyecto?

When did you find out the truth about the project?

Finalmente supiste cómo arreglarlo, ¿no?

You finally figured out how to fix it, didn't you?

Si supiste de ese problema, ¿por qué no dijiste nada?

If you knew about that problem (when it happened), why didn't you say anything?

The 'Tú' Form

This word is used when speaking informally to one person you know well (the 'tú' form). It means 'you' did the action.

Preterite Tense: Finding Out vs. Knowing

The past action 'supiste' (preterite) almost always means 'you found out' or 'you learned' at a specific moment. If you want to say 'you knew' over a long, undefined period, you must use the imperfect tense: 'sabías'.

Irregular Verb Stem

The verb 'saber' is irregular in this past tense. Its stem changes completely from 'sab-' to 'sup-'. You just have to memorize this change!

Using the wrong past tense

Mistake: “¿Sabías cuándo llegó?”

Correction: ¿Supiste cuándo llegó? (Did you find out when he arrived?) The action of finding out is a single, completed event.

Confusing 'saber' and 'conocer'

Mistake: “¿Supiste a María?”

Correction: ¿Conociste a María? ('Saber' is for facts/skills; 'conocer' is for people, places, or being familiar with something.)

supieras

/soo-pyeh-rahs//suˈpje.ɾas/

verbB2formal/literary
Use 'supieras' in hypothetical or counterfactual situations, often in conditional clauses or reported speech indicating uncertainty.
A small, simplified character standing next to a large, slightly ajar wooden door. A bright, mysterious light spills out from the opening, symbolizing hidden knowledge.

Examples

Si supieras la verdad, no estarías tan tranquilo.

If you knew the truth, you wouldn't be so calm.

Me gustaría que supieras cuánto te quiero.

I would like it if you knew how much I love you.

Actuaste como si supieras exactamente lo que hacías.

You acted as if you knew exactly what you were doing.

Hypothetical Situations

This form is used after 'si' (if) when talking about an unlikely, impossible, or purely hypothetical situation in the present or future.

The Subjunctive Mood

This form (the imperfect subjunctive) is needed after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or requests when the main verb is in the past tense or the conditional tense.

Using the Indicative

Mistake: “Using *Si sabías...* instead of *Si supieras...*”

Correction: When setting up a hypothetical 'if' scenario, you must use the imperfect subjunctive: *Si supieras la respuesta...* (If you knew the answer...). The indicative *sabías* is only for describing past habitual actions.

Sabías vs. Supiste

Learners often confuse 'sabías' and 'supiste.' Remember that 'sabías' refers to a continuous state of knowing something, while 'supiste' implies a specific moment of finding out or realizing it.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.