"Eles sabem nadar."

Translation: They know how to swim.

[MagicTrumpetMan]

How would you say "They know to swim". Would it be the same? I mean they technically have the same messing but I got it wrong for saying that so I just wonder what it would be.

[Peterpurple]

They 'know to swim' is incorrect English. They 'know how to swim' is correct.

[GrannySlasher]

'They know to swim' is not incorrect English. It's a perfectly valid sentence, it just carries different meaning to 'they know how to swim'. The former expresses a sort of duty or obligation, whereas the latter expresses ability.

[fordect]

Is 'como' just implied here (ex: sabe como nadar) or is this a bad Portuguese sentence.

[Paulenrique]

it is also understandable, but "to know how to" in Portuguese in translated just as "saber".

[GrannySlasher]

I'm also wondering how we'd write "they know to swim", as in they are aware that they should use the ability they have at some specific time.

[Paulenrique]

The same way, or "Eles sabem que têm que nadar"/"Eles sabem que precisam nadar"

[DomiP-F]

it doesn't accept "I know swimming" , why not?

[GrannySlasher]

I know (of) samba dancing, but I don't know how to samba dance.

[sergionidze]

Why "They can to swim" is wrong?? I never heard IRL "They know how to swim"

[Paulenrique]

It should be "They can swim".

[sergionidze]

O_o ok, thanx