Question 1

Why does this sentence use sabe instead of conoce?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, there are two verbs for knowing. We use saber (here as sabe) for knowing facts or knowing how to do a skill. Since using a computer is a skill, we use saber. The verb conocer is used instead when you are familiar with a person, a place, or a thing.

Question 2

The English translation says 'knows how to use', but where is the 'how to' in the Spanish sentence?

Accepted Answer

You do not need extra words for 'how to' in Spanish! When talking about knowing how to do a skill, you just use saber followed immediately by the action verb in its basic, unchanged form (the infinitive). So, sabe usar literally translates as 'knows to use', which means 'knows how to use' in natural English. Adding a word for 'how' here would actually sound unnatural to a native speaker.

Question 3

Why does the word no go before the verb?

Accepted Answer

To make a sentence negative in Spanish, you simply put no directly before the main, conjugated verb. So 'does not know' translates to no sabe. You cannot split the negative words like we often do in English.

Question 4

I have heard a different word for computer in Spanish. Is computadora correct?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In Latin America, la computadora is the standard word. In some South American countries like Colombia and Chile, you might also hear the masculine version, el computador. If you ever study Spanish from Spain, you will hear a totally different word: el ordenador.

Mi abuelo no sabe usar la computadora.

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