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"Sepan" is a form of "saber", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to know". "Hayan" is a form of "haber", an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "to have". Learn more about the difference between "sepan" and "hayan" below.
saber(
sah
-
behr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to know
Yo sé que la capital de la República Dominicana es Santo Domingo.I know that the capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo.
a. to find out
Lo supe porque lo vi por internet.I found out because I saw it online.
b. to hear
Las entradas para el concierto ya se agotaron. - ¿Cómo lo supiste?The concert is sold out. - How did you hear that?
a. to know how
Mi hijo no sabe amarrarse los zapatos.My son doesn't know how to tie his shoes.
b. can
¿Sabes hablar japonés?Can you speak Japanese?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to taste
Este caramelo sabe a miel.This candy tastes like honey.
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.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct 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.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to be in the habit of) (Andes)
Regionalism used in Argentina
(Argentina)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
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.).
impersonal verb
a. to know
Se sabe que los vampiros se alimentan de sangre.It is known that vampires feed on blood.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. knowledge
El saber popular se basa en creencias.Popular knowledge is based on beliefs.
saberse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to know
Me sé todas las canciones de Elvis.I know all Elvis's songs.
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haber(
ah
-
behr
)
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to have
Nunca habían ido a Costa Rica antes del verano pasado.They had never been to Costa Rica before last summer.
a. to have to
He de ir al trabajo el sábado.I have to go into work on Saturday.
b. must
Has de hacer tu tarea esta noche.You must do your homework tonight.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
impersonal verb
a. to be (used with "there")
No hay azúcar.There is no sugar.
No hubo tiempo para saludar a todos en la fiesta.There wasn't enough time to say hi to everyone at the party.
a. must
Hay que lavar todos los platos después de cenar.We must wash all the dishes after dinner.
b. should
Hay que hacer reservaciones para el hotel.We should make reservations for the hotel.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
No sé si habrá tiempo para comer algo.I don't know if there will be enough time to eat something.
Tiempo ha del terremoto.The earthquake occurred a long time ago.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to bear
Los hijos habidos de la aventura no fueron reconocidos por su padre.The children borne of the affair were not recognized by their father.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
El espectáculo habido esta semana está completamente vendido.This week's performance is totally sold out.
El accidente habido ayer resultó en dos fatalidades.Yesterday's accident resulted in two fatalities.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. asset
Su haber consistía en la empresa familiar y dos mansiones.Her assets consist of the family business and two mansions.
a. credit side
El total del deber y del haber tienen que ser iguales.The debit and credit side totals must be equal.
a. credit
Tiene tres artículos publicados a su haber.She has three published articles to her credit.
los haberes
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. earnings
Todavía no me han pagado los haberes del mes pasado.I still haven't been paid last month's earnings.
haberse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to have it out with somebody
Se las va a haber con su hermano si no paran de discutir.He's going to have it out with his brother if they don't stop arguing.
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