Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say I Know in Spanish: Sé, Lo Sé & Conozco
Yo sé · verb phrase · yoh seh
I know uses two verbs: saber (yo sé) for facts, information, and skills; conocer (yo conozco) for familiarity with people, places, or things. In conversation: lo sé and ya sé are most frequent.
yoh seh (yo sé) · loh seh (lo sé) · yoh koh-NOHS-koh (yo conozco)
Ya lo sé, no tienes que repetírmelo.
I know, you do not have to repeat it to me.
I Know in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for i know, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo sé | i know | yoh seh | Default, widely understood |
| ya sé | i know | I already know / I know (with impatience) | |
| lo sé | i know | I know it (acknowledging information) | |
| conozco | i know | I know (a person or place — familiarity) |
How Native Speakers Use Yo sé
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Acknowledging a fact
—Tu vuelo sale a las seis. —Lo sé, ya tengo todo listo.
Your flight leaves at six. — I know, I already have everything ready.
Lo sé is the natural response when told something you already know.
Knowledge of a skill
Sé cocinar comida tailandesa.
I know how to cook Thai food.
Saber + infinitive = to know how to (a skill). No preposition needed.
Familiarity with a person
Conozco a tu hermano del trabajo.
I know your brother from work.
Conocer for people/places. Note the personal a before people.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Yo sé
Using sé for people
Incorrect: Yo sé a María.
Correct: Yo conozco a María.
Saber = facts/skills. Conocer = people/places. Cannot saber a person.
Using conozco for facts
Incorrect: Conozco la respuesta.
Correct: Sé la respuesta.
For knowing a fact or answer, sé is standard. Conocer implies familiarity.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Yo sé used by native speakers
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Common Questions About I Know in Spanish
- How do you say I know in Spanish?
- Facts/skills: yo sé. People/places: yo conozco. Casual responses: lo sé or ya sé.
- Difference between saber and conocer?
- Saber = facts, information, skills. Conocer = familiarity with people, places, things.
- Why does sé have an accent?
- The accent distinguishes sé (I know, from saber) from se (reflexive pronoun). Different words.