Learn Spanish (Latin America): Mi abuelo no sabe usar la computadora. - My grandfather does not know how to use the computer.

Mi abuelo no sabe usar la computadora.

My grandfather does not know how to use the computer.

Breakdown of Mi abuelo no sabe usar la computadora.

Questions & Answers about Mi abuelo no sabe usar la computadora.

Why does this sentence use sabe instead of conoce?

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.

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

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.

Why does the word no go before the verb?

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.

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