Learn Spanish (Spain): ¿Sabes leer en español?

¿Sabes leer en español?

Can you read in Spanish?

Breakdown of ¿Sabes leer en español?

español

Spanish

in / on / by (means of transport) / about (after pensar)

leer

to read

saber

to know (facts, information)

Questions & Answers about ¿Sabes leer en español?

Why does the sentence use sabes instead of puedes to say can?

In English, we use the word can for both learned skills and physical possibilities. In Spanish, when talking about a learned skill or knowing how to do something, you use the verb saber instead of poder. Therefore, sabes leer translates more exactly to do you know how to read.

Why is the second verb, leer, left in its dictionary form?

When two verbs are paired together to form one idea, only the first verb changes to match the person doing the action (here it is sabes for you). The second verb stays in its basic, unaltered form, which is leer (to read).

Should I say en el español instead of just en español?

No, you do not need the word el (the) here. When naming a language right after the word en (in), you drop the article and just say en español.