Portuguese verb · irregular · first needed at beginner level (A1)

saber

to know (facts), to know how to

Used for facts and skills (, I can swim); for people and places use . The preterite often means “found out”.

Speed:

Present

Presente

What happens now or usually, and fixed plans for the near future.

Pretérito perfeito

Finished actions in the past: , , . Often also English “have done” ().

Pretérito imperfeito

Habits, descriptions and background in the past: “used to…” or “was …ing”.

Futuro do presente

What will happen. Mostly written or formal; in everyday speech Brazilians say + infinitive instead.

Futuro do pretérito

What would happen, and polite requests. In speech the imperfect often replaces it.

Presente do subjuntivo

After with wishes, doubts and feelings: …, …, …

Pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo

After in unreal conditions and after past wishes: …, …

Futuro do subjuntivo

After , and about the future: …, …