comprobar
/kom-proh-BAR/
to check
Use 'comprobar' to mean 'to check' or 'to verify' documents or facts.
comprobar(verb)
to check
?to verify information or documents
,to verify
?to confirm accuracy
to examine
?to look closely at something
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Stem Change 'O' to 'UE'
In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' when the stress falls on the root word (e.g., 'yo compruebo'). This change skips the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'comprobar' and 'chequear'
Mistake: "Using 'chequear' (a Spanglish verb) when 'comprobar' is more formal and appropriate for verifying facts or documents."
Correction: Use 'comprobar' when the action involves confirming accuracy or validity; use 'revisar' or 'mirar' for a simple look-over.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal Check
Use 'comprobar' when you are officially verifying a fact or testing a theory. Use 'revisar' for checking homework or looking over a list.
When you 'comprobar' something, you 'prove' its validity or truth.
comprobar(verb)
to prove
?to demonstrate validity or truth
,to show
?to provide evidence
to substantiate
?formal context of proof
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Followed by 'que'
When 'comprobar' means 'to prove' or 'to confirm a fact,' it is usually followed by 'que' and the verb in the normal indicative (non-special) form: 'Comprobamos que está aquí.' (We confirmed that he is here.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Proof vs. Check
If you are trying to convince someone of the truth of a statement, use 'comprobar' in this sense. If you are just making sure your keys are in your pocket, use 'revisar' or 'check' (meaning 1).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: comprobar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'comprobar' in the sense of 'to prove'?
📚 More Resources
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).