prueba
/prweh-bah/
test
As a feminine noun, prueba means 'test,' 'quiz,' or 'evidence.'
prueba(Noun)
test
?academic, medical, or technical
,proof
?evidence to show something is true
,evidence
?legal or scientific
trial
?an act of testing something
,sample
?e.g., of food or a product
,fitting
?trying on clothes
📝 In Action
Tengo una prueba de español el viernes.
A2I have a Spanish test on Friday.
No hay prueba de que él estuviera allí.
B1There is no proof that he was there.
El detective busca pruebas para resolver el caso.
B1The detective is looking for evidence to solve the case.
La primera semana es un período de prueba.
B2The first week is a trial period.
💡 Grammar Points
Making Things 'Proof'
To say something is resistant to something else, like 'waterproof' or 'bulletproof', you can use the pattern 'a prueba de' + noun. For example, 'un reloj a prueba de agua' (a waterproof watch).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Prueba vs. Examen
Mistake: "Using 'prueba' and 'examen' as if they are exactly the same."
Correction: They are very similar! Often, an 'examen' is a bigger, more formal test (like a final exam), while a 'prueba' can be a smaller test or quiz. But this can change depending on the country or school.
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just School Tests
Remember that 'prueba' is very flexible. It can be the evidence in a court case, a free sample at a store, or the fitting of a wedding dress. The context tells you which meaning is intended.
Prueba is the conjugated form of the verb probar, meaning 'he/she tastes' or 'try!' (as a command).
prueba(Verb)
he/she/it tries, tastes, tests, proves
?statement about 'él', 'ella', or 'usted'
try! / taste! / test! / prove!
?a friendly command to 'tú' (you)
📝 In Action
Ella prueba el vino antes de servirlo.
A2She tastes the wine before serving it.
Mi padre siempre prueba el coche nuevo.
B1My father always tries out the new car.
¡Prueba esta tarta! Está deliciosa.
A2Try this cake! It's delicious.
Con este experimento, él prueba su teoría.
B2With this experiment, he proves his theory.
💡 Grammar Points
Two Meanings in One Word
Notice that 'prueba' can mean 'he/she tastes' AND 'taste!' (as a command to a friend). You'll know which one it is from the conversation. An exclamation mark often signals it's a command: ¡Prueba esto!
The 'Boot' Verbs (o → ue)
The verb 'probar' changes its vowel in some forms. The 'o' becomes 'ue' for 'yo', 'tú', 'él', and 'ellos'. Think of it like a boot shape in the conjugation chart—the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms are 'outside the boot' and don't change: probamos.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Vowel Change
Mistake: "Saying 'él proba' instead of 'él prueba'."
Correction: Remember that 'probar' is a stem-changing verb. The 'o' needs to change to 'ue' in the present tense for most forms. He doesn't 'proba', he 'prueba'!
⭐ Usage Tips
Trying Clothes vs. Trying Food
To say 'try on' clothes, Spanish often adds 'se': Ella se prueba el vestido (She tries on the dress). For tasting food or trying something out, you just use prueba: Él prueba la sopa (He tastes the soup).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: prueba
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'prueba' to mean 'proof' or 'evidence'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'prueba', 'examen', and 'ensayo'?
Great question! 'Prueba' is often a smaller test or quiz. 'Examen' is usually a bigger, more important test, like a midterm or final. 'Ensayo' isn't a test at all—it's an essay or a rehearsal for a play or concert. So, you take a 'prueba', study for an 'examen', and write an 'ensayo'.
How do I know if 'prueba' is the noun 'test' or the verb 'he/she tries'?
It's all about the other words in the sentence! If it comes after a word like 'una' or 'la' (e.g., 'una prueba'), it's the noun 'a test'. If it comes after a person's name or 'él'/'ella' (e.g., 'Juan prueba la comida'), it's the verb 'he tries/tastes'.