savoir/sa.vwaʁ/
verb / noun · A1 · Frequency 67
verb
Meanings
to know (facts, information, etc.)
Used to express knowledge or awareness of facts, information, or knowledge.
to know how to do something (skill or ability)
Used to express having the skill or ability to do something.
can, be able to
This sense is mainly used in Belgian French to express ability or possibility.
to find out, to learn
Often in the passé composé: ‘found out/learned’.
Examples
Il est important de savoir la vérité avant de prendre une décision.
It is important to know the truth before making a decision.
Elle veut savoir nager avant les vacances d'été.
She wants to know how to swim before the summer holidays.
Il faut savoir attendre le bon moment pour intervenir.
One must be able to wait for the right moment to intervene.
Pour savoir ce qui s'est passé, la responsable a interrogé toute l'équipe.
To find out what happened, the manager questioned the whole team.
Collocations
- savoir une informationto know a piece of information
- savoir faire quelque choseto know how to do something
- savoir par expérienceto know from experience
Common mistakes
Je sait la réponse.
Je sais la réponse.
In the present indicative, savoir has the irregular first-person singular form sais with je, whereas sait is the third-person singular form.
Related words
antonymignorerto be unaware of, to be ignorant of
Grammar note
The verb savoir, when expressing skill or ability, is followed by an infinitive; its compound tenses use the auxiliary avoir.
nounmasculine
Meanings
knowledge
Refers to general knowledge or information, often at an abstract level.
learning, erudition
often refers to erudition.
Examples
Le savoir scientifique évolue avec les nouvelles découvertes.
Scientific knowledge evolves with new discoveries.
Son savoir sur les plantes impressionne toute l'équipe.
His knowledge of plants impresses the whole team.
Un savoir solide aide les étudiants à résoudre des problèmes complexes.
Solid knowledge helps students solve complex problems.
Collocations
- transmettre un savoirto transmit knowledge
- un savoir-faire professionnelprofessional know-how
Related words
synonymconnaissanceknowledge
synonymcompétencecompetence, ability, skill, talent
antonymignoranceignorance, lack of knowledge or information
verb
Meanings
to know (facts, information, etc.)
Used to express knowledge or awareness of facts, information, or knowledge.
to know how to do something (skill or ability)
Used to express having the skill or ability to do something.
can, be able to
This sense is mainly used in Belgian French to express ability or possibility.
to find out, to learn
Often in the passé composé: ‘found out/learned’.
Examples
Sachant que le train était retardé, nous avons pris le bus.
Knowing that the train was delayed, we took the bus.
Elle a accepté la mission, sachant qu'elle serait difficile.
She accepted the assignment, knowing that it would be difficult.
Sachant utiliser ce logiciel, Nora a aidé ses collègues.
Knowing how to use this software, Nora helped her colleagues.
Ne sachant pas nager, il est resté près du bord.
Not knowing how to swim, he stayed near the edge.
Collocations
- savoir une informationto know a piece of information
- savoir faire quelque choseto know how to do something
- savoir par expérienceto know from experience
Common mistakes
Je sait la réponse.
Je sais la réponse.
In the present indicative, savoir has the irregular first-person singular form sais with je, whereas sait is the third-person singular form.
Related words
antonymignorerto be unaware of, to be ignorant of
Grammar note
The verb savoir, when expressing skill or ability, is followed by an infinitive; its compound tenses use the auxiliary avoir.
verb
Meanings
to know (facts, information, etc.)
Used to express knowledge or awareness of facts, information, or knowledge.
to know how to do something (skill or ability)
Used to express having the skill or ability to do something.
can, be able to
This sense is mainly used in Belgian French to express ability or possibility.
to find out, to learn
Often in the passé composé: ‘found out/learned’.
Examples
J'ai su la nouvelle par un collègue.
I learned the news from a colleague.
Elle a su réparer la machine sans aide.
She knew how to repair the machine without help.
Malgré la pression, il a su rester calme.
Despite the pressure, he was able to remain calm.
Après plusieurs vérifications, nous avons su d'où venait l'erreur.
After several checks, we found out where the error came from.
Collocations
- savoir une informationto know a piece of information
- savoir faire quelque choseto know how to do something
- savoir par expérienceto know from experience
Common mistakes
Je sait la réponse.
Je sais la réponse.
In the present indicative, savoir has the irregular first-person singular form sais with je, whereas sait is the third-person singular form.
Related words
antonymignorerto be unaware of, to be ignorant of
Grammar note
The verb savoir, when expressing skill or ability, is followed by an infinitive; its compound tenses use the auxiliary avoir.
verb
Meanings
to know (facts, information, etc.)
Used to express knowledge or awareness of facts, information, or knowledge.
to know how to do something (skill or ability)
Used to express having the skill or ability to do something.
can, be able to
This sense is mainly used in Belgian French to express ability or possibility.
to find out, to learn
Often in the passé composé: ‘found out/learned’.
Examples
Je sais où tu as rangé les clés.
I know where you put the keys.
Je sais préparer une omelette sans recette.
I know how to make an omelet without a recipe.
Après quelques recherches, je sais enfin qui a envoyé ce message.
After some research, I finally found out who sent this message.
Collocations
- savoir une informationto know a piece of information
- savoir faire quelque choseto know how to do something
- savoir par expérienceto know from experience
Common mistakes
Je sait la réponse.
Je sais la réponse.
In the present indicative, savoir has the irregular first-person singular form sais with je, whereas sait is the third-person singular form.
Related words
antonymignorerto be unaware of, to be ignorant of
Grammar note
The verb savoir, when expressing skill or ability, is followed by an infinitive; its compound tenses use the auxiliary avoir.