The verb sapere (to know)
In Italian, the irregular verb sapere is used to talk about knowing facts, having information, or knowing how to do something. (To talk about being acquainted with a person or place, you will use a different verb).
Here is how to conjugate sapere in the present tense:
| Pronoun | Sapere |
|---|---|
| io | so |
| tu | sai |
| lui / lei / Lei | sa |
| noi | sappiamo |
| voi | sapete |
| loro | sanno |
Knowing facts and information
You can use sapere with nouns to say that you know specific information, like the truth or the answer. It is also commonly used with words like tutto (everything) or niente (nothing). Notice that to say you "don't know anything" in Italian, you use a double negative: non before the verb and niente after it.
| I don't know anything. | Non so niente. |
| We know the truth about Marco. | Sappiamo la verità su Marco. |
| Do you know the answer? | Sai la risposta? |
Knowing "if", "where", and "who"
Sapere often introduces a clause to explain exactly what you do or do not know. You can follow it with the word se (if), or with question words like dove (where) and chi (who).
| Do you know if Maria is coming to the party? | Sai se Maria viene alla festa? |
| I don't know if the train is late. | Non so se il treno è in ritardo. |
| Do you know where Anna lives? | Sai dove abita Anna? |
Knowing "how to" do something (Skills)
To express that you have a learned skill or ability—like swimming, singing, or playing an instrument—use sapere followed directly by the infinitive (the dictionary form) of the action verb.
Do not translate the English word "how"; simply use sapere + the infinitive verb.
| My brothers don't know how to swim. | I miei fratelli non sanno nuotare. |
| My mother can sing well. | Mia madre sa cantare bene. |
| Do you know how to play the piano? | Sai suonare il pianoforte? |
