French Conversation · Level 33
90 words
French word
savoir
Pronunciation
IPA/savwaʁ/
Meaning
- verbknow
Example
Tu sais ça ?
Do you know that?
More examples
Je sais la réponse.
I know the answer.
Core concept
A reliable mental store that releases a fact or guides an action.
Common phrases
savoir comment
know how
savoir la réponse
know the answer
Similar words
connaître: To recognize a person, place, or work from direct familiarity.
apprendre: To gain new knowledge or skills through learning.
comprendre: To understand what something means or how it works.
se souvenir: To bring a past experience back to mind.
Definition in French
Savoir est un verbe signifiant posséder une information ou la maîtrise d'une activité; il sert à dire qu'une personne connaît un fait ou sait accomplir quelque chose, en général suivi d'un infinitif.
Word origin
French savoir comes through Old French saveir from Latin sapere, which meant "to taste" and later developed senses related to good judgment and knowledge.
Usage tips
- Savoir commonly takes an infinitive for knowing how to do something, while connaître normally introduces a person, place, or noun.