originated from Portuguese ‘sabel‘ (to know). It may possibly also come from the New Ireland word ‘saavi‘ (to know, to grasp).
1. know, knowledge, wisdom, understanding
- Mi save gut.
I understand it well. - Mi no save.
I don’t know. - Mi save ol i lusim kantri pinis.
I know they have left the country. - save pinis already know
- Mi save pinis ol i bin lusim kantri.
I already know they have left the country. - save long know about
- Mi save long Jon.
I know about Jon, I know Jon. - gat save long know about, have knowledge of, know how to
- Mi gat save long Baibel.
I know about the Bible. - Mi save long wokim haus.
I know how to build houses.
2. can do, know how to do, have the skill
- save stia (know steer) to know how to steer
- Mi save wokim dispela.
I can do this. - Mi save draivim ka.
I can drive cars.
3. do something usually or habitually
- save go long lotu (know go (prep) worship) to go to church regularly
- save go long skul (know go (prep) school) to go to school regularly
- Mi save kaikai bret.
I usually eat bread. - Mi save smok.
I smoke.