Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to know (a fact)" in Portuguese: saber
saber
To know a fact in Portuguese is saber. Say eu sei and você sabe. Use conhecer for knowing people or places, not saber.
Admitting uncertainty
Não sei o endereço exato do restaurante.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce saber
Say it
sah-BEHR / say / SAH-bee
/sa.ˈbeʁ/
sah-BEHR. Eu sei is say; você sabe is SAH-bee.
"to know (a fact)" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| saber | to know (facts / how to) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu sei | I know First person. | First person. |
| você sabe | you know Questions and comments. | Questions and comments. |
| não sei | I don't know Essential survival phrase. | Essential survival phrase. |
| saber de cor | to know by heart Memory talk. | Memory talk. |
How to use saber in real life
- 1Admitting uncertainty
Não sei o endereço exato do restaurante.
I don't know the restaurant's exact address.
Não sei is essential.
- 2Checking knowledge
Você sabe que horas começa o filme?
Do you know what time the movie starts?
Saber + fact question.
- 3Skills
Eu sei nadar, mas não sei surfar.
I can swim, but I can't surf.
Saber + infinitive for know how to.
Mistakes English speakers make with saber
Incorrect: Eu sei a Maria.
Correct: Eu conheço a Maria.
People take conhecer. Saber is for facts and skills.
Incorrect: Eu sabo a resposta.
Correct: Eu sei a resposta.
First person is sei, not sabo.
Good to know
Não sei is friendly and common—Brazilians say it without drama. Você sabe…? can open gossip or logistics. Keep saber for information and know-how; switch to conhecer for people, cities, and restaurants you have been to.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Figuring out a train platform
ChatPal
Você sabe qual é a plataforma?
Do you know which platform it is?
You
Não sei. Vou perguntar.
I don't know. I'll ask.
ChatPal
Aquele segurança sabe, com certeza.
That security guard knows, for sure.
You
Sei o número do trem, só falta a plataforma.
I know the train number; I just need the platform.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to know (a fact)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to know (a fact)" in Portuguese
I know?
Eu sei.
I don't know?
Não sei.
Saber vs conhecer?
Saber = facts/how to. Conhecer = people/places.
Do you know…?
Você sabe…?
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
