pruebe
“pruebe” means “taste” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
taste, try
📝 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)
try on
Also: test out
📝 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)
prove
Also: verify
📝 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)
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pruebe
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'pruebe' as a formal command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin verb *probare*, meaning 'to test, try, or demonstrate as good.' The meaning has remained very consistent over time, covering both the physical act of testing (tasting, trying on) and the intellectual act of demonstrating truth (proving).
First recorded: 13th century (in Old Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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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).