Spanish grammar · Intermediate
Future of Saber: Sabré, Sabrás, Sabrá, Conjugation and Use
The future of saber uses the irregular stem sabr-: sabré, sabrás, sabrá, sabremos, sabréis, sabrán. Drop e from sab-er. Used for future knowledge (will know), future skill, and present probability.
Pronto sabré la verdad.
Soon I'll know the truth.
What it is
The future of saber uses the irregular stem sabr-: sabré, sabrás, sabrá, sabremos, sabréis, sabrán. The infinitive sab-er drops its e before adding regular future endings.
In Pronto sabré la verdad (Soon I'll know the truth), sabré is the future yo form of saber, predicting future knowledge.
How to spot it
Look for sabr- + endings: sabré, sabrás, sabrá, sabremos, sabrán. Distinct from saber as a noun (flavor / taste), which doesn't conjugate.
- Sabremos pronto. — We'll know soon.
- Nadie sabrá nada. — Nobody will know anything.
- ¿Sabrás llegar? — Will you know how to get there?
Saber + infinitive = to know how to (skill). Saber + que / si / qué = to know that / if / what (information).
Future of Saber Quick Reference
Future of saber, irregular stem sabr-
| Person | Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | sabré | I will know |
| tú | sabrás | you will know |
| él/ella/Ud. | sabrá | he/she/it will know |
| nosotros | sabremos | we will know |
| vosotros | sabréis | you all will know (Spain) |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | sabrán | they will know |
Common Future of Saber Examples in Spanish
Future of saber in real contexts:
Future Knowledge / Information
- Pronto sabré la verdad.
- Soon I'll know the truth.
- Sabrás la respuesta en un momento.
- You'll know the answer in a moment.
- Sabremos los resultados mañana.
- We'll know the results tomorrow.
- Sabrán quién ganó.
- They'll know who won.
- Nadie sabrá nada.
- Nobody will know anything.
Most common use: predicting when information will be known.
Future Skill (Sabré + Infinitive)
- Sabré hablar español.
- I'll know how to speak Spanish.
- Sabrás conducir pronto.
- You'll know how to drive soon.
- Sabremos cocinar bien.
- We'll know how to cook well.
- Sabrán defenderse.
- They'll know how to defend themselves.
- ¿Sabrás llegar?
- Will you know how to get there?
Sabré + infinitive = will know how to (future skill or ability).
Present Probability
- Sabrá la respuesta.
- He probably knows the answer.
- Sabrán lo que pasó.
- They probably know what happened.
- Sabrás de qué hablo.
- You probably know what I'm talking about.
- Tu madre sabrá.
- Your mother probably knows.
- Sabrán dónde está.
- They probably know where he is.
Future saber often expresses present conjecture (probably knows).
Negative and Questions
- No sabré qué decir.
- I won't know what to say.
- No sabremos hasta mañana.
- We won't know until tomorrow.
- ¿Sabrás explicarlo?
- Will you know how to explain it?
- ¿Cuándo lo sabrán?
- When will they know?
- No sabrás cuánto te extraño.
- You won't know how much I miss you.
Common in expressions of doubt and questions about future knowledge.
How to Use the Future of Saber
Irregular Stem: Drop e
Sab-er drops its e to form sabr-, then regular future endings attach.
sab-er → sabr- + é = sabré.
Irregular stem, regular endings.
Sabr- + endings. NOT *saberé.
Two Constructions: Knowledge vs. Skill
Saber + información (que, si, qué, quién) = to know (information). Saber + infinitivo = to know how to (skill). Both work in future: sabré que (I'll know that), sabré nadar (I'll know how to swim).
Sabré la verdad. Sabré conducir.
Knowledge vs. skill.
+ información or + infinitivo.
Don't Confuse with Conocer
Saber = to know information / skills. Conocer = to know / be familiar with (people, places). Future of conocer is regular: conoceré.
Sabré la respuesta. Conoceré la ciudad.
I'll know the answer. I'll get to know the city.
Saber = information / skill. Conocer = familiarity.
Same Stem as Conditional
The future stem (sabr-) is the same as the conditional stem. Future: sabré. Conditional: sabría (I would know).
Future: sabré. Conditional: sabría.
I'll know vs. I would know.
Sabr- stem covers both tenses.
Common Mistakes with Future of Saber
Incorrect: Saberé la verdad. — I'll know the truth.
Correct: Sabré la verdad. — I'll know the truth.
Saber has an IRREGULAR future stem: sabr- (drop e from sab-er). Form is sabré, not the regular *saberé.
Incorrect: Sabré María mañana. (meant: I'll meet María) — I'll meet María tomorrow.
Correct: Conoceré a María mañana. — I'll meet María tomorrow.
Saber = to know information/skills. For people, use conocer (to meet / be familiar with). Conoceré a María = I'll meet María.
Incorrect: Sabre la respuesta. — I'll know the answer.
Correct: Sabré la respuesta. — I'll know the answer.
Future yo form carries an accent: sabré. Without the accent, the word is misspelled.
Future of Saber FAQs
- What is the future of saber in Spanish?
- Sabré, sabrás, sabrá, sabremos, sabréis, sabrán. Irregular stem sabr- (drop e from sab-er) + regular future endings. Sabré la verdad = I'll know the truth.
- What's the difference between sabré and conoceré?
- Sabré = I'll know information or skill (Sabré la respuesta, sabré conducir). Conoceré = I'll meet / get to know a person or place (Conoceré a María, conoceré Madrid). Both translate as I'll know, but they're not interchangeable.
- How do I say I'll know how to do something?
- Sabré + infinitive. Sabré hablar español = I'll know how to speak Spanish. Sabré conducir = I'll know how to drive. Saber + infinitive = future skill.
- Can future saber express probability?
- Yes. Sabrá la respuesta (he probably knows the answer), sabrán dónde está (they probably know where he is). Common in conversational conjecture.
- How can I master the future of saber?
- Drill the sabr- stem, then practice in knowledge contexts (sabré la verdad) and skill contexts (sabré conducir). Distinguish from conocer (which has a regular future). Parrot's videos surface these distinctions naturally.