pruebe
/PRWEH-beh/
taste
Pruebe (taste): The chef is tasting the soup to check the flavor.
pruebe(Verb (Conjugated Form))
taste
?to sample food or drink
,try
?to attempt to eat or drink
📝 In Action
Señorita, pruebe un poco de esta salsa, es la especialidad de la casa.
A1Miss, please taste a little of this sauce; it's the house specialty. (Formal Command)
Mi madre insiste en que yo pruebe los vegetales nuevos.
A2My mother insists that I try the new vegetables. (Subjunctive: expressing influence/desire)
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Command
The form 'pruebe' is the polite way to tell one person (Usted) to do something. It comes directly from the 'yo' form of the present subjunctive.
Subjunctive Use
'Pruebe' is also the special verb form (subjunctive) used when you express desire, doubt, or necessity involving someone else: 'Dudo que pruebe el queso' (I doubt he tries the cheese).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Using 'probo' or 'proba' instead of 'pruebo' or 'pruebe'."
Correction: Remember that the 'o' in the stem changes to 'ue' in most forms, including 'pruebe' and 'pruebo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Easy Command Rule
To form a polite command like 'pruebe,' just think of the opposite ending: since the base verb 'probar' ends in -ar, the command uses the -e ending (like an -er/-ir verb).
Pruebe (try on): Please try on the jacket before purchasing it.
pruebe(Verb (Conjugated Form))
try on
?clothing
test out
?equipment or vehicle
📝 In Action
Le recomiendo que pruebe estos pantalones, están de oferta.
A2I recommend that you (formal) try on these pants, they are on sale. (Subjunctive)
Pruebe el coche antes de firmar los papeles.
B1Test out the car before signing the papers. (Formal Command)
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
When 'probar' is used with clothing, it always means 'to try on.' If you want someone to try on clothes politely, use 'pruebe' (Usted).
Pruebe (prove): The completed puzzle serves to prove that all the pieces fit together perfectly.
pruebe(Verb (Conjugated Form))
prove
?to demonstrate a fact
verify
?to check the truth of something
📝 In Action
Exigimos que el acusado pruebe su coartada.
B2We demand that the accused prove his alibi. (Subjunctive: expressing demand)
Pruebe que su método es mejor que el anterior.
C1Prove that your method is better than the previous one. (Formal Command)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
When 'probar' means 'to prove,' it is often used in formal or legal settings and frequently triggers the subjunctive form 'pruebe' because the statement is often uncertain or demanded ('Dudo que pruebe...' / 'Quiero que pruebe...').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pruebe
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'pruebe' as a formal command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'pruebe' look different from 'probamos'?
'Probar' is a stem-changing verb. This means the vowel in the middle ('o') changes to 'ue' when the stress falls on that part of the word (like in 'pruebe' and 'pruebo'). In forms like 'probamos' (we try), the stress falls on the ending, so the 'o' stays the same.
When do I use 'pruebe' instead of 'prueba'?
You use 'prueba' for the informal command ('Tú, prueba esto' — You, try this) or the standard present tense ('Él prueba' — He tries). You use 'pruebe' for the formal command ('Usted, pruebe esto' — You, politely, try this) or whenever the special subjunctive form is required (e.g., after expressions of doubt or desire).