savoir passé composé conjugation
Savoir (to know (facts/how to)) in the passé composé: ai su, as su, a su, avons su, avez su, ont su.
Passé composé Compound past
| j' | |
|---|---|
| tu | |
| il/elle/on | |
| nous | |
| vous | |
| ils/elles |
ending regular · irr breaks the pattern · tap a form to hear it
When to use the passé composé
The passé composé is the everyday past tense for completed actions: “Hier, j’ai mangé au restaurant.” It is built from avoir or être in the present plus the past participle.
How it is formed
Present of avoir (or être for the “house of être” verbs and all reflexive verbs) + past participle. With être the participle agrees with the subject: elle est allée, ils sont allés.
Savoir is irregular here. 6 of 6 forms break the pattern (dark tiles above). The irregular part is the past participle, su; the auxiliary is conjugated normally.
Read more: Passé composé: avoir or être?
Savoir in a sentence
- Je sais nager depuis mon enfance.I've known how to swim since childhood.
- Elle savait la réponse.She knew the answer.
Irregular; contrast with 'connaître' (to know people/places).
FAQ
What is the passé composé of savoir?
Savoir in the French passé composé: j' ai su, tu as su, il/elle/on a su, nous avons su, vous avez su, ils/elles ont su.
Is savoir irregular in the passé composé?
Yes. 6 of 6 forms break the regular pattern: j' ai su; tu as su; il/elle/on a su; nous avons su; vous avez su; ils/elles ont su.
When do you use the French passé composé?
The passé composé is the everyday past tense for completed actions: “Hier, j’ai mangé au restaurant.” It is built from avoir or être in the present plus the past participle.
How is the passé composé formed?
Present of avoir (or être for the “house of être” verbs and all reflexive verbs) + past participle. With être the participle agrees with the subject: elle est allée, ils sont allés.
Full savoir conjugation, all tenses →
Drill it with flashcards →