Inklingo

How to Say "to test" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to test” is “examinar” — use 'examinar' when a teacher is evaluating a student's knowledge, typically in a formal academic setting..

English → Spanish

examinar

/ex-ah-mee-NAR//eksa.miˈnaɾ/

verbB1academic
Use 'examinar' when a teacher is evaluating a student's knowledge, typically in a formal academic setting.
A teacher in a classroom looking at a student's paper while the student works.

Examples

La profesora nos va a examinar de historia mañana.

The teacher is going to test us on history tomorrow.

Use of 'de'

When testing someone on a specific subject, we often use 'de' followed by the subject name (e.g., examinar de matemáticas).

verificar

/beh-ree-fee-KAHR//beɾifiˈkaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'verificar' when you are checking to confirm that something is correct, functional, or true, like activating an account.
A person using a magnifying glass to look closely at a green checkmark on a wooden table.

Examples

Por favor, verifica tu correo electrónico para activar la cuenta.

Please check your email to activate the account.

El sistema tiene que verificar tu contraseña.

The system needs to verify your password.

Debemos verificar los datos antes de publicar el informe.

We must verify the data before publishing the report.

The Spelling Swap

In the 'I' form of the past (preterite) and in all 'wish' forms (subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This is just to keep the hard 'K' sound: 'verifiqué' instead of 'verificé'.

Verificar vs. Revisar

Mistake: “Using 'verificar' when you just want to look over something casually.”

Correction: Use 'revisar' for browsing or reviewing, and 'verificar' when you specifically need to prove something is correct or true.

analizar

/ah-nah-lee-SAHR//ana.liˈsaɾ/

verbB2scientific
Use 'analizar' when conducting a scientific or medical examination of a sample, such as water or blood.
A scientist in a white coat holding up a clear glass test tube filled with bright blue liquid.

Examples

El laboratorio va a analizar la muestra de agua.

The laboratory is going to test the water sample.

ensayar

/en-sah-YAR//en.saˈʝar/

verbB2general
Use 'ensayar' when you are trying out or rehearsing a new method, theory, performance, or product to see how it functions.
A scientist in a white lab coat pouring a blue liquid from one glass beaker into another.

Examples

El laboratorio va a ensayar un nuevo fármaco.

The laboratory is going to test a new drug.

Es necesario ensayar el plan antes de ejecutarlo.

It is necessary to try out the plan before executing it.

Abstract Testing

When using 'ensayar' as 'to test', it usually refers to a formal process or a trial run of an idea.

experimentar

/ex-peh-ree-men-TAR//ekspeɾimenˈtaɾ/

verbB2scientific
Use 'experimentar' when conducting an experiment, especially in science, to discover or prove something by trying new things.
A scientist in a lab coat carefully pouring a blue liquid into a glass flask.

Examples

El científico experimenta con nuevas fórmulas químicas.

The scientist experiments with new chemical formulas.

Me gusta experimentar con diferentes especias cuando cocino.

I like to experiment with different spices when I cook.

Using 'con'

When you are testing a tool, a method, or an ingredient, use the word 'con' (with) right after the verb.

Testing vs. Checking

A common mistake is using 'examinar' or 'analizar' when you simply need to 'check' if something is working. For basic confirmation, like verifying an email or checking a machine, 'verificar' is usually the most appropriate and common choice.

Related Translations

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