muestra

/MOO-ehs-trah/

sample

This small portion of liquid is a muestra (sample) for testing.

muestra(noun)

fA1

sample

small portion for testing or promotion

specimen

medical or scientific analysis

Also:

proof

evidence or demonstration

display

art exhibit or public showing

📝 In Action

¿Podría darme una muestra del queso?

Could you give me a sample of the cheese?

El doctor pidió una muestra de orina.

The doctor requested a urine specimen.

La exposición es una muestra del arte moderno.

The exhibition is a display of modern art.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ejemplo (example)
pedacito (small piece)

Common Collocations

muestra gratis – free sample
tomar una muestra – to take a sample/specimen

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Tip

Remember that muestra is always feminine: la muestra. This is essential for pairing it with the correct articles and adjectives.

⭐ Usage Tips

Scientific vs. Commercial

While it means 'sample' in both contexts, it sounds more formal when referring to medical tests (una muestra de sangre) than to store promotions (una muestra de perfume).

A friendly, simple character standing and presenting a large, bright red apple to the viewer, illustrating the act of showing.

The character muestra (shows) the apple.

muestra(verb)

A1irregular (stem-changing) ar

shows

he/she/it shows; you (formal) show

is showing

present continuous action

Also:

show!

formal command (usted)

📝 In Action

El mapa muestra dónde estamos.

The map shows where we are.

Él siempre muestra mucha confianza.

He always displays a lot of confidence.

¡Muestra tu pasaporte, por favor!

Show your passport, please! (Formal command)

Word Connections

Synonyms

enseña (teaches / shows)
indica (indicates)

Common Collocations

muestra interés – shows interest
muestra respeto – shows respect

💡 Grammar Points

Stem-Changing Verb

This verb is irregular because the 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' in most present tense forms, including muestra. Remember that 'nosotros' (we) and 'vosotros' (you all in Spain) are exceptions and use 'o' (mostramos).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Change

Mistake: "Él *mostra* la foto."

Correction: Él *muestra* la foto. (The vowel must change from 'o' to 'ue' in this form.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Command

If you are giving a polite command to an adult or stranger, use the usted command form: Muestre su boleto. However, if you are giving a command to a friend (tú), the form is muestra: Muestra tu dibujo.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedmuestra

yomuestro

túmuestras

ellos/ellas/ustedesmuestran

nosotrosmostramos

vosotrosmostráis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmostraba

yomostraba

túmostrabas

ellos/ellas/ustedesmostraban

nosotrosmostrábamos

vosotrosmostrabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedmostró

yomostré

túmostraste

ellos/ellas/ustedesmostraron

nosotrosmostramos

vosotrosmostrasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedmuestre

yomuestre

túmuestres

ellos/ellas/ustedesmuestren

nosotrosmostremos

vosotrosmostréis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmostrara

yomostrara

túmostraras

ellos/ellas/ustedesmostraran

nosotrosmostráramos

vosotrosmostrarais

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: muestra

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'muestra' as a noun?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

mostrar(to show, to display) - verb

demostrar(to demonstrate, to prove) - verb

mostrador(counter, display case) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'muestra' related to 'monstruo' (monster)?

Yes, in terms of history! Both words come from the Latin verb *monstrare* (to show). A 'muestra' is something shown for analysis, and a 'monstruo' was originally something 'shown' or 'displayed' as an unnatural wonder or sign.

How do I know if 'muestra' is a noun or a verb in a sentence?

Look at the words around it. If you see 'la' or 'una' before it (*la muestra*), it is the noun ('the sample'). If you see a subject like 'él' or 'ella' and it describes an action (*él muestra*), it is the verb ('he shows').