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"Llegar a" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to get to", and "saber" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to know". Learn more about the difference between "llegar a" and "saber" below.
llegar a(
yeh
-
gahr
ah
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to get to
A este paso, vamos a llegar a la casa de Mauricio a la medianoche.At this pace, we're going to get to Mauricio's house at midnight.
b. to arrive at
Nuestro vuelo llegó al aeropuerto de Helsinki a las 2 pm.Our flight arrived at the Helsinki airport at 2 pm.
c. to arrive in
El "Concorde" fue el último barco en llegar a Rotterdam antes de que cerraran el puerto.The "Concorde" was the last ship to arrive in Rotterdam before they closed down the port.
d. to arrive to
Paremos en la tienda a comprar una botella de vino. No quiero llegar a la fiesta con las manos vacías.Let's stop at the convenience store to buy a bottle of wine. I don't want to arrive to the party empty-handed.
b. to make it to
No solo quiero llegar a los 80, si no que quiero llegar en buena salud.I not only want to make it to 80, but I want to make it in good health.
c. to come to
Tras interrogar al sospechoso por horas, ambos detectives llegaron a la misma conclusión: el tipo era inocente.After interrogating the suspect for hours, both detectives arrived to the same conclusion; the guy was innocent.
a. to reach
La llave cayó en ese hoyo y no puedo llegar a ella.The key fell into that hole and I can't reach it.
b. to come up to
Estábamos en un pantano, y el lodo nos llegaba a las rodillas.We were in a swamp, and the mud came up to our knees.
c. to touch
Los pantalones de tu traje no deberían tocar el piso.The pants of your suit shouldn't touch the floor.
a. to come to
¿Crees que Julio y Mariana terminen? - No. No creo que llegue a eso.Do you think Julio and Mariana will break up? - No. I don't think it will come to that.
b. to reach
Se proyecta que el próximo año la deuda nacional llegará a un trillón de dólares.The national debt is projected to reach one trillion dollars next year.
c. to be
Dependiendo del seguro que tenga, una cirugía de rodilla puede llegar a ser muy costosa.Depending on the insurance you have, a knee surgery can be very costly.
saber(
sah
-
behr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to know
¿Qué sabes del paradero del acampamento de la rebelión?What do you know about the whereabouts of the rebel camp?
a. to hear
Supe del problema del agua ayer. ¿Qué vas a hacer?I heard about the problem with the water yesterday. What are you going to do?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Me sabe genial recibir un 10 en el examen!I feel great getting a 10 on the exam!
Me supo muy mal cómo te hablaron en la junta.I really disliked the way they talked to you in the meeting.
8. (colloquial) (to be in the habit of) (Andes) (Argentina) (Central America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
a. to use to
Mi abuela sabía comprarse toda su ropa en una tienda de departamentos muy elegante.My grandmother used to buy all her clothes in a fancy department store.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
saberse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
