Portuguese · Common Verbs
Saber
[/saˈbeʁ/]
To know (a fact)
Beginnerverb
Definition
To have knowledge or information in mind; to know a fact or skill.
Ter conhecimento ou informação em mente; saber um fato ou habilidade.
Example
Você sabe onde fica o banheiro?
Do you know where the bathroom is?
Etymology
'Saber' traces its origins to the Latin 'sapere', which means 'to taste or to know'. This word has preserved its meaning across various Romance languages.
How & Where It’s Used
'Saber' is used widely in both formal and informal contexts, in both spoken and written formats in Portuguese-speaking countries.
Cultural Note
Portuguese distinguishes "saber" (know a fact/skill) from "conhecer" (know a person/place).