How to (action)
Hey guys, i was trying to translate how to into spanish and it seems that you can say ''no se hacer algo'' as well as ''no se como hacer algo'' when do you use como and when not. Im struggling with this so a thorough explination would be wonderful 
thank you.
2 Answers
That's an excellent question.
No sé hacer algo is the preferred way. No sé cómo hacer algo is a literal translation from English.
I hear all too often:
Ella no sabe cómo manejar el coche. It should be: Ella no sabe manejar el coche.
No sabemos cómo escribir tu nombre. It should be: No sabemos escribir tu nombre.
No sé leer (as opposed to what I also hear too often "No puedo leer"). Poder leer and saber leer are two different things. No poder leer can be due to a physical impediment (blindness) and No saber leer one implies you haven't learned to read.
Important: There are exceptions when "How to" is not followed by an infinitive:
No sabemos cómo funciona esta máquina.
No sabe cómo se escribe tu nombre.
And a very acceptable exception to use how to + infitive would be:
No sabemos cómo llegar a tu casa. However, if you said: No sabemos llegar a tu casa, you would convey almost the same meaning.
The first phrase just implies you are lost and need directions. The second one just means you need directions (and are not lost yet).
I hope this helps!
no saber [algo] (lack of knowledge)
No sabes ni mierda. (don't know sh*t) No sé bailar. (can't dance) No sé leer. (can't read)
No sé cómo (lack knowledge of the method)
No sé cómo se escribe su nombre (I don't know how one (goes about) writing his/her name)
Vs. No sé escribir (I don't have the knowledge to write)
