verbi servili

Sapere VS Conoscere and Potere: to know, to be able & idioms

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sapere

Sapere is a rather important verb. Let’s see it together and learn some useful sentences. This time the webcast is for everyone.

Ciao a tutti

Sapere VS conoscere

Prima di tutto, first and foremost, let’s have a look at the conjugations of the two verbs and listen to the correct pronunciation.

 

Both sapere and conoscere translate as “to know”. The difference is in the depth of knowledge and the object I know.


 

SAPERE AS MODAL VERB VS POTERE

Sapere is a very important modal verb. A modal verb supports and describes a second verb and amplifies its meaning. In English, for example,  I can swim means that I am able to swim, I know how to do that, or that I am allowed to do that. “Can” is the modal verb, “to swim” is the main verb.

In Italian, “Can” is translated with two different modal verbs: Potere or Sapere (+ an infinitive verb). I can say:

  • (io) so nuotare – I can swim, I learned as a child and I know how to do that.

  • (io) posso nuotare – I can swim, I am allowed to or I’m in a condition to do that.

Another example. Let’s suppose Carlo goes out for dinner and has a few glasses of Chianti. He needs to go back home. Now, he knows how to drive (sa guidare) but tonight he can’t (non può), because he had too much wine.

  • Carlo sa guidare, ma stasera non può perché ha bevuto.

 

SAPERE IN CONVERSATIONAL ITALIAN

There are plenty of Italian set phrases coming with the verb sapere. Below, a small, personal selection and webcast.

 

  • Fammi sapere. – Let me know.

  • Sono venuto a sapere che …- I came to know that…

  • Non ne voglio sapere. – I don’t want to know.

  • Ti faccio sapere. – I’ll let you know.

  • Le faremo sapere. – We’ll let you know (formal)

  • Come faccio a saperlo? How would I know it?

  • Mi sa che (il ristorante è caro) – I have the feeling that…

  • Non so se mi spiego. – Need I say more?

  • Mario sa il fatto suo. -He knows his stuff

 

Thanks for listening. Get in touch if you have questions. Alla prossima!

Italian course for beginners: modal verbs, DOVERE

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TodaywearegoingtohaveacloselookatDOVERE,:”Haveto”,”Needto”,”Must”.Listen tothepodcast. Alongwith”fare”,“essere”and”avere”,modalverbsarethepillarsoftheItalianlanguage:DOVERE,POTERE,VOLERE,SAPERE.AllItalianmodalverbsshareanimportantrule withEnglishmodalverbs.Theydescribethefunctionof asecondverbandmakeitstrongerinasentence.

Theverbdoveresupportsotherverbs:andare,parlare,dire.

Doveremeansmust,haveto, beobligedto,besupposedto,havegotto,oughtto,needto.InalltheseEnglishtranslations,verbssupportaninfinitiveverb,andsodoesdovereinItalian.Thegrammarruleis:

DOVERE+ARE/ERE/IRE(infinito)

Theconjugationis:

  • IODEVO
  • TUDEVI
  • LUI/LEIDEVE
  • NOIDOBBIAMO
  • VOIDOVETE
  • LORODEVONO
IfyouaskItalianspeakerstotranslate dovere inEnglish,theywouldsay mustorhaveto.Iwouldsay”must”istoostrongand”haveto”quiteclose. Itdependsalotonthecontext.SoI believeit’stimetogiveyousomeexamplestopracticeonandrepeat.Listentothepodcast.

Devoandareadesso,ètardi
Imustgonow,it’slate

Devidirequalcosa?
Haveyougotsomethingtosay?

Stefanodevestudiaredipiù
Stefanoneedstostudymore

Nondobbiamodimenticare
Wemustnot forget

Dovetesapereche…
Youhavetoknowthat…

Gliitalianidevonoimpararel’inglese!
ItaliansmustlearnEnglish!

Thisisthesimplestconjugation ofdovere,thepresenteindicativo,andit’senoughfor beginners.Inthenextposts,WearegoingtohaveacloselookatotherItalianmodalverbs.

 

Italian modal verbs – Presente and passato prossimo – Audio

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Do you know the difference between dovere, potere, volere, and sapere? What happens to those verbs with the passato prossimo?

A guide to Italian modal verbs with audio examples and a final quiz

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