Savoir Conjugation in French: Complete Tables, Tenses, and Usage Guide

Savoir Conjugation in French: The Complete Guide & Charts

The French verb savoir is one of the top 20 most frequently used verbs in everyday French. Classified as an irregular verb belonging to the third group, it translates generally to "to know" or "to know how to."

Because its stems change substantially across different tenses, learning the conjugation of savoir requires focused study. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential tenses, pronunciation rules, and idiomatic uses so you can master it effortlessly.

1. Present Tense (Présent de l'indicatif)

In the present tense, savoir changes its stem between the singular forms (sai-) and the plural forms (sav-). Note that the singular forms (sais, sais, sait) are pronounced identically as /sɛ/.

• Je sais parler trois langues. (I know how to speak three languages.)
• Savez-vous où est la poste ? (Do you know where the post office is?)

Example sentences:

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2. Past Tenses: Passé Composé vs. Imparfait

When using compound tenses, savoir uses the auxiliary verb avoir, and its past participle is su.

Passé Composé

In the passé composé, savoir often takes on an active meaning: to find out or to learn of something at a specific moment.

• J'ai su (I found out / learned)
• Tu as su
• Il / Elle / On a su
• Nous avons su
• Vous avez su
• Ils / Elles ont su

> Example: J'ai su la nouvelle ce matin. (I found out about the news this morning.)

Imparfait (Imperfect)

The imperfect is used for continuous, ongoing knowledge in the past ("I knew").

• Je savais
• Tu savais
• Il / Elle / On savait
• Nous savions
• Vous saviez
• Ils / Elles savaient

> Example: Je savais déjà qu'il viendrait. (I already knew that he would come.)

3. Future & Conditional Tenses (Stem: saur-)

Both the future and conditional stems transform into saur-.

Simple Future (Futur simple)

• Je saurai (I will know)
• Tu sauras
• Il / Elle / On saura
• Nous saurons
• Vous saurez
• Ils / Elles sauront

Present Conditional (Conditionnel présent)

• Je saurais (I would know)
• Tu saurais
• Il / Elle / On saurait
• Nous saurions
• Vous sauriez
• Ils / Elles sauraient

> Pro Tip: The expression « Je ne saurais vous dire » is a very polite and formal French idiom meaning "I couldn't really tell you."

4. Subjunctive & Imperative (Stem: sach-)

Both the subjunctive and imperative moods share the irregular stem sach-.

Present Subjunctive (Subjonctif présent)

• Que je sache
• Que tu saches
• Qu'il / Elle / On sache
• Que nous sachions
• Que vous sachiez
• Qu'ils / Elles sachent

> Common idiom: « Pas que je sache » (Not that I know of).

Imperative (Impératif)

• (Tu) Sache
• (Nous) Sachons
• (Vous) Sachez

> Example: Sachez que vous êtes toujours le bienvenu. (Know that you are always welcome.)

5. Savoir vs. Connaître: The Golden Rules

English speakers frequently confuse savoir and connaître because both translate to "to know." Follow these simple rules:

1. Use Savoir:

• Before an infinitive verb: Expresses abilities or skills ("to know how to").
• Elle sait conduire. (She knows how to drive.)
• Before conjunctions or clauses (que, si, où, quand, pourquoi, qui):
• Je sais pourquoi il est absent. (I know why he is absent.)

2. Use Connaître:

• Directly before a noun: Expresses familiarity with people, places, or things.
• Tu connais ce restaurant ? (Do you know this restaurant?)
• Je connais Luc depuis dix ans. (I have known Luc for ten years.)

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Summary of Key Stems

• Present: sai- (singular) / sav- (plural)
• Passé Composé: su
• Future / Conditional: saur-
• Subjunctive / Imperative: sach-

To memorize savoir effectively, remember its core stems:

Incorporate these patterns into your daily practice, and conjugating savoir will become second nature!