Inklingo

probarlo

proh-BAHR-loh/pɾoˈβaɾlo/

to taste it, to try it

Also: to sample it
VerbA1irregular (stem-changing O > UE) ar
A person smiling while carefully tasting a small spoonful of bright red soup from a white bowl.
infinitiveprobar
gerundprobando
past Participleprobado

📝 In Action

¿Puedo probarlo antes de decidir?

A1

Can I taste it before deciding?

Tienes que probarlo, está delicioso.

A1

You have to try it, it's delicious.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • degustar (to taste (formally))
  • catar (to sample (wine))

Common Collocations

  • probar un bocadoto taste a bite
  • querer probarloto want to try/taste it

to try it out, to test it

Also: to give it a go
VerbA2irregular (stem-changing O > UE) ar
A child wearing safety goggles carefully testing a simple toy wooden car by rolling it down a small wooden ramp.

📝 In Action

Necesito probarlo antes de comprar el coche.

A2

I need to try it out before buying the car.

Es un método nuevo, vamos a probarlo.

B1

It's a new method, let's try it (test it).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ensayarlo (to rehearse it/to test it)
  • intentarlo (to attempt it)

to prove it, to demonstrate it

Also: to substantiate it
VerbB2irregular (stem-changing O > UE) arneutral/formal
A hand placing the final, perfectly fitting piece into a brightly colored jigsaw puzzle, completing the picture.

📝 In Action

Es difícil probarlo sin testigos.

B2

It is difficult to prove it without witnesses.

El informe debe probarlo con datos concretos.

C1

The report must prove it with concrete data.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • demostrarlo (to demonstrate it)
  • justificarlo (to justify it)

Antonyms

  • negarlo (to deny it)

Common Collocations

  • probar la inocenciato prove innocence

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedprueba
yopruebo
pruebas
ellos/ellas/ustedesprueban
nosotrosprobamos
vosotrosprobáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedprobaba
yoprobaba
probabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesprobaban
nosotrosprobábamos
vosotrosprobabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedprobó
yoprobé
probaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesprobaron
nosotrosprobamos
vosotrosprobasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpruebe
yopruebe
pruebes
ellos/ellas/ustedesprueben
nosotrosprobemos
vosotrosprobéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedprobara
yoprobara
probaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesprobaran
nosotrosprobáramos
vosotrosprobarais

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: probarlo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'probarlo' in the sense of 'to prove a fact'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

The verb 'probar' comes from the Latin word *probare*, meaning 'to test,' 'to examine,' or 'to approve.' The attached pronoun 'lo' comes from the Latin *illum*, meaning 'that' or 'him.'

First recorded: 13th century (for the base verb)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: provarItalian: provare

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'probarlo' and 'probarse'?

Both relate to trying something. 'Probarlo' means 'to try/taste it' where 'it' is an external object (like food or a car). 'Probarse' is a reflexive verb meaning 'to try something on oneself,' usually clothing. Example: 'Voy a probármelo' (I am going to try it [the jacket] on myself).

Why does 'probarlo' have no accent, but '¡Pruébalo!' does?

'Probarlo' is an infinitive phrase and follows the normal stress rules of the base verb 'probar'. When you attach pronouns to a positive command, like '¡Pruébalo!', Spanish usually requires an accent mark to maintain the original stress of the verb (which falls on the first syllable: PRUE-ba-lo).