vs
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"Sé" is a phrase which is often translated as "I know", and "ya sé" is a phrase which is also often translated as "I know". Learn more about the difference between "sé" and "ya sé" below.
sé(
seh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. I know
Sé que eres tímido y que no te gusta hablar en público.I know that you're shy and you don't like speaking in public.
b. I know how
Sé tocar el violín, pero no soy un músico profesional.I know how to play the violin, but I'm not a professional musician.
3. (informal) (imperative; second person singular; have existence)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
ya sé(
yah
seh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. I know
¿Qué podemos regalarle a papá por su cumpleaños? - ¡Ah, ya sé! ¡Una camiseta de su grupo favorito!What can we give dad for his birthday? - Oh, I know! A T-shirt of his favorite band!
a. I already know
No me cuentes lo que ya sé. Necesito datos nuevos.Don't tell me what I already know. I need new facts.
b. I know
Ya sé que no te gustan las espinacas, pero tienes que comer verdura.I know you don't like spinach, but you have to eat vegetables.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ya sé nadar, pero mis hermanos pequeños no.I can already swim, but my little brothers can't.
Entonces no sabía montar en bici. Ahora ya sé.I couldn't ride a bike back then. I can now.
