saber a (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Verb + Preposition

Phonetic Transcription

/saˈβer a/

Translation Options

• Saber A → To know how to

Meaning

Saber A is a combination of the verb "saber" (to know) followed by the preposition "a" (to, in order to). When used together, it indicates knowledge or ability in performing a particular action or skill. This combination is commonly used in Spanish to express the ability to do something, implying expertise or proficiency in a certain activity. It is frequently used in both oral and written contexts.

Examples

1. Sé nadar, pero no sé a bailar.
   Translation: I know how to swim, but I don't know how to dance.

2. ¿Sabes a cocinar?
   Translation: Do you know how to cook?

3. Ella sabe a tocar el piano.
   Translation: She knows how to play the piano.

Idiomatic Expressions

• Saber a qué sabe algo
  Translation: To know what something tastes like

• No puedo decirte a qué sabe este nuevo postre.
  Translation: I can't tell you what this new dessert tastes like.

• Saber a poco
  Translation: To not be enough, to leave one wanting more

• La cena en ese restaurante siempre me sabe a poco.
  Translation: Dinner at that restaurant always leaves me wanting more.

• Saber a gloria
  Translation: To be delicious or delightful

• Después de tanto esfuerzo, ese helado nos sabe a gloria.
  Translation: After so much effort, that ice cream tastes delicious.

Etymology

The verb "saber" comes from the Latin "sapere", which means "to taste, to smell, to know". The preposition "a" in Spanish derives from the Latin "ad", which indicates a direction or goal, meaning "to or towards".

Synonyms

• Tener conocimiento de (To have knowledge of)
• Estar habilidoso en (To be skilled in)
• Dominar (To master)

Antonyms

• No saber hacer (To not know how to do)
• No tener experiencia en (To not have experience in)
• Ser inexperto en (To be inexperienced in)