Savoir (to know) · Présent
By TutorLily Editorial Team · Last updated
Savoir in the French présent is: je sais, tu sais, il/elle/on sait, nous savons, vous savez, ils/elles savent. The present of savoir is irregular. 'Je sais' (with optional silent 's'), 'nous savons'. Note: 'je ne sais pas' is one of the most-used French phrases — equivalent to English 'I don't know'.
| To Know | Savoir |
|---|---|
| I know | je sais |
| you know | tu sais |
| he/she knows | il/elle/on sait |
| we know | nous savons |
| you know | vous savez |
| they know | ils/elles savent |
Savoir (to know) in context
Sentences that use savoir in the présent. Tap each to hear it.
I know how to speak three languages.
Do you know how to swim?
She knows how to dance the tango.
We know what needs to be done.
Do you know where the station is?
They know everything about this region.
Working with the présent
French uses the present tense more broadly than English does. "Je parle français" can mean "I speak French," "I am speaking French," or "I do speak French" — context decides. Note that "on" (technically third-person singular: "on parle") is the everyday spoken equivalent of "nous" — French speakers use it constantly in conversation. "Nous parlons" feels more formal or written; "on parle" is what you actually hear in everyday speech.
Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate savoir in the present tense?
What's the difference between savoir and connaître?
How does 'savoir + infinitive' work?
Practice Savoir (To Know) in real conversations
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