comprobar
“comprobar” means “to check” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to check, to verifyAlso: to examine
📝 In Action
Necesitas comprobar la hora de salida del tren en la pantalla.
A2You need to check the train's departure time on the screen.
El policía comprobó mi identidad antes de dejarme pasar.
B1The police officer verified my identity before letting me pass.
Compruebo dos veces el correo electrónico antes de enviarlo.
B1I double-check the email before sending it.
Word Connections
to prove, to showAlso: to substantiate
📝 In Action
El experimento comprobó la teoría del científico.
B2The experiment proved the scientist's theory.
La nueva evidencia comprueba su inocencia.
B1The new evidence proves his innocence.
No pudieron comprobar que el coche era robado.
B2They couldn't prove that the car was stolen.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "comprobar" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: comprobar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'comprobar' in the sense of 'to prove'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The word comes from the Latin prefix *com-* (meaning 'together' or 'with') combined with the verb *probare* (meaning 'to test' or 'to try'). Essentially, it means 'to test thoroughly' or 'to try together to confirm.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'comprobar' the same as 'chequear'?
'Comprobar' is the standard, traditional Spanish verb for verifying or proving something. 'Chequear' is a loanword from English ('to check') and is used informally, especially in Latin America, but 'comprobar' is always the safer and more formal choice, especially for official verification.
Is 'comprobar' regular?
No, it's slightly irregular! It is an '-ar' verb, but it has a stem change where the 'o' becomes 'ue' in most forms of the present tense (e.g., 'yo compruebo'), similar to the verb 'probar' (to try).