probar

v.

1 to prove.

eso prueba que tenía razón that proves I was right

Einstein probó su teoría Einstein proved his theory.

2 to try.

lo hemos probado todo we've tried everything

Ella prueba la adivinanza She tries the riddle.

Ellos probaron ayer They tried yesterday.

3 to try on (clothes).

probar una camisa to try on a shirt

4 to taste, to try.

Ella probó la comida She tasted the food.

5 to test, to check.

El presidente probó a María The president tested Mary.

6 to try to, to have a bash at.

Ella probó patinar sin caer She tried to skate without falling.

7 to drink, to touch.

Yo no pruebo el alcohol I don't drink alcohol.

8 to show to, to demonstrate to.

María probó saber mucho Mary showed to know a lot.

* * *

probar

Conjugation model [CONTAR], like {{link=contar}}contar

► verbo transitivo

1 (demostrar) to prove

■ esto prueba la veracidad de su testimonio this proves the truth of his testimony

2 (comprobar) to test, check

■ prueba el coche a ver cómo responde check the car to see how it performs

3 (vino, comida) to taste, try

■ prueba el estofado a ver si está bien de sal taste the stew for salt

■ ¿has probado alguna vez las judías con almejas? have you ever tried beans with clams?

■ nunca pruebo el cava porque me da sueño I never drink cava because it makes me sleepy

4 (prenda, zapato) to try on

■ pruébatelo antes de llevártelo try it on before buying it

► verbo intransitivo

1 to try

■ prueba a cambiarle la pila try changing the battery

* * *

verb

1) to try

2) prove

3) taste

4) test

5) demonstrate

* * *

1. VT

1) (=demostrar) [+ eficacia, inocencia, teoría] to prove

eso probaría la existencia de vida en Marte — that would prove the existence of life on Mars

probar que — to prove that

¿cómo puedes probar que no estabas allí? — how can you prove that you weren't there?

el juez consideró probado que era culpable — the judge considered that he had been proved guilty

2) (=poner a prueba) [+ sustancia, vacuna, persona] to test; [+ método] to try; [+ aparato, arma] to test, try out; [+ actor, músico] to audition

hemos dejado dinero en el suelo para probarlo — we've left some money lying on the floor to test him

prueben su puntería, señoras y señores — try your aim, ladies and gentlemen

te dan diez días para probar el vídeo — they give you a ten-day trial period for the video, they give you ten days to try out the video

probaron a muchos actores para el papel — they auditioned a lot of actors for the part

fortuna 1), suerte 1)

3) (=catar) to try, taste

prueba un poco de este pescado — try o taste a bit of this fish

el médico me ha prohibido que pruebe el marisco — the doctor says I'm not allowed (to eat) seafood

yo el vino no lo pruebo — I never touch o drink wine

llevamos horas sin probar bocado — it's hours since we've had a bite to eat

- al probar se ve el mosto

4) [+ ropa] [hecha a medida] to fit; [de confección] to try on

¿puede venir mañana a que le pruebe el traje? — can you come tomorrow to have your suit fitted?

tengo que ir a la modista a que me pruebe — I have to go to the dressmaker for a fitting

te voy a probar este abrigo a ver como te queda — I'm going to try this coat on you to see what it looks like

2. VI

1) (=intentar) to try, have a go

déjame que pruebe yo — let me try, let me have a go

¿has probado con este bolígrafo? — have you tried this pen?

probar a hacer algo — to try doing sth

he probado a hacerlo yo sola, pero no he podido — I tried doing it on my own but I couldn't

- con o por probar nada se pierde

2) (=sentar) [actividad, ropa] to suit; [comida] to agree with

le probó mal ese oficio — that trade didn't suit him

no me prueba bien el café — coffee doesn't agree with me

3)

probar de algo —

see VT

See:

probar 1., 3)

3.

See:

probarse

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

1) (demostrar) <teoría/inocencia> to prove

2)

a) <vino/sopa> to taste; (por primera vez) to try

no he vuelto a probar la ginebra — I haven't touched gin since

no probé bocado en todo el día — I didn't eat a thing o have a bite to eat all day

b) <método> to try

prueba el coche antes de comprarlo — try out the car before buying it

llevé el coche a que le probaran los frenos — I took the car to have the brakes tested

c) <ropa> to try on

probarle algo A alguien — to try something on somebody

la modista me probó el vestido una vez — the dressmaker gave me one fitting for the dress

d) (poner a prueba) <empleado/honradez> to test

2.

probar vi (intentar) to try

probar no cuesta nada — there's no harm in trying

¿has probado con quitamanchas? — have you tried using stain remover?

probar A + INF — to try -ing

3.

probarse v pron <ropa/zapatos> to try on

quisiera probarme uno más grande — I'd like to try a larger size

* * *

= evidence, have + a turn at, prove, test, sample, play with, test drive, run-in, try out, have + a shot at, try + Posesivo + hand, taste, put + Nombre + to the test, try + Nombre + on.

Ex. Although in this case there is no SLIS presence in the teaching, it is noteworthy that the same concern as that evidenced in the City University programme is present.

Ex. Seven of the compositors, moreover, did short stints at press, and one of the pressmen had a turn at composition.

Ex. One must be able to prove that a new staff member was selected with due process and with clearly delineated criteria.

Ex. Inmate library workers often test a new librarian, but once he or she has passed the test, they usually become very protective and staunch promoters of the library.

Ex. Such reassurance becomes particularly important if the inquirer has not sampled the file, either in a printed format or in browsing online.

Ex. In this five-day workshop we will play with the design and building of non-traditional interface solutions.

Ex. The article is entitled 'Out for a spin: a school librarian test drives 14 CD-ROM encyclopedias'.

Ex. Such an arrangement would enable a viewer to run-in whatever program he needs.

Ex. All they need is a willingness to experiment a bit and to try out a pedagogical method others testify to being of some value.

Ex. Our goal is to encourage more citizens to tap into the wealth of free, educational resources available online so more people have a shot at improving their lives and their future.

Ex. He abandoned West Africa for a better life in America, trying his hand as an ice cream man.

Ex. Professional skills are enhanced by the opportunity which IFLA provides to taste the cultures of other countries in a very accessible (dare I say privileged?) way.

Ex. There's nothing flimsy about these leather boots, put them to the test this season - they'll pass with flying colours.

Ex. The psychiatrist has been trying him on several different anti-depressants and group therapies, but none seems to be helping.

----

* por probar nada se pierde = nothing ventured, nothing gained.

* probando Algo = trial and error.

* probar a hacer Algo por uno mismo = try + Posesivo + own hand at.

* probar Algo = dip + Posesivo + toes into these waters, give + it a whirl, give + it a shot, give + it a try.

* probar diferentes cosas = mess with.

* probar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim, make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* probar que se está en lo cierto = prove + Posesivo + point, make + Posesivo + case.

* probar que se tiene razón = prove + Posesivo + point, make + Posesivo + case.

* probarse = try on.

* probar suerte = have + a go, give + it a shot, give + Nombre + a try, have + a stab at, take + a stab at, make + a stab at, take + Posesivo + chances, try + Posesivo + luck, give + it a whirl, give + it a try, take + the dip, take + a long shot.

* probar una idea = test + idea.

* probar una solución = try out + solution.

* probar un punto = prove + point.

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

1) (demostrar) <teoría/inocencia> to prove

2)

a) <vino/sopa> to taste; (por primera vez) to try

no he vuelto a probar la ginebra — I haven't touched gin since

no probé bocado en todo el día — I didn't eat a thing o have a bite to eat all day

b) <método> to try

prueba el coche antes de comprarlo — try out the car before buying it

llevé el coche a que le probaran los frenos — I took the car to have the brakes tested

c) <ropa> to try on

probarle algo A alguien — to try something on somebody

la modista me probó el vestido una vez — the dressmaker gave me one fitting for the dress

d) (poner a prueba) <empleado/honradez> to test

2.

probar vi (intentar) to try

probar no cuesta nada — there's no harm in trying

¿has probado con quitamanchas? — have you tried using stain remover?

probar A + INF — to try -ing

3.

probarse v pron <ropa/zapatos> to try on

quisiera probarme uno más grande — I'd like to try a larger size

* * *

= evidence, have + a turn at, prove, test, sample, play with, test drive, run-in, try out, have + a shot at, try + Posesivo + hand, taste, put + Nombre + to the test, try + Nombre + on.

Ex: Although in this case there is no SLIS presence in the teaching, it is noteworthy that the same concern as that evidenced in the City University programme is present.

Ex: Seven of the compositors, moreover, did short stints at press, and one of the pressmen had a turn at composition.

Ex: One must be able to prove that a new staff member was selected with due process and with clearly delineated criteria.

Ex: Inmate library workers often test a new librarian, but once he or she has passed the test, they usually become very protective and staunch promoters of the library.

Ex: Such reassurance becomes particularly important if the inquirer has not sampled the file, either in a printed format or in browsing online.

Ex: In this five-day workshop we will play with the design and building of non-traditional interface solutions.

Ex: The article is entitled 'Out for a spin: a school librarian test drives 14 CD-ROM encyclopedias'.

Ex: Such an arrangement would enable a viewer to run-in whatever program he needs.

Ex: All they need is a willingness to experiment a bit and to try out a pedagogical method others testify to being of some value.

Ex: Our goal is to encourage more citizens to tap into the wealth of free, educational resources available online so more people have a shot at improving their lives and their future.

Ex: He abandoned West Africa for a better life in America, trying his hand as an ice cream man.

Ex: Professional skills are enhanced by the opportunity which IFLA provides to taste the cultures of other countries in a very accessible (dare I say privileged?) way.

Ex: There's nothing flimsy about these leather boots, put them to the test this season - they'll pass with flying colours.

Ex: The psychiatrist has been trying him on several different anti-depressants and group therapies, but none seems to be helping.

* por probar nada se pierde = nothing ventured, nothing gained.

* probando Algo = trial and error.

* probar a hacer Algo por uno mismo = try + Posesivo + own hand at.

* probar Algo = dip + Posesivo + toes into these waters, give + it a whirl, give + it a shot, give + it a try.

* probar diferentes cosas = mess with.

* probar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim, make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* probar que se está en lo cierto = prove + Posesivo + point, make + Posesivo + case.

* probar que se tiene razón = prove + Posesivo + point, make + Posesivo + case.

* probarse = try on.

* probar suerte = have + a go, give + it a shot, give + Nombre + a try, have + a stab at, take + a stab at, make + a stab at, take + Posesivo + chances, try + Posesivo + luck, give + it a whirl, give + it a try, take + the dip, take + a long shot.

* probar una idea = test + idea.

* probar una solución = try out + solution.

* probar un punto = prove + point.

* * *

probar [A10 ]

vt

A (demostrar) ‹teoría/acusación/inocencia› to prove

esto prueba que ella tenía razón this proves that she was right

B

1 ‹vino/sopa› to taste; (por primera vez) to try

nunca he probado el caviar I've never tried caviar

no puedo probar el vino, el médico me lo ha prohibido I can't drink wine, doctor's orders

desde entonces no he vuelto a probar la ginebra I haven't touched gin again since then

no ha probado bocado en todo el día she hasn't eaten a thing o had a bite to eat all day

2 ‹método› to try

prueba la aspiradora antes de comprarla try the vacuum cleaner (out) before buying it

estoy dispuesto a probar cualquier cosa con tal de curarme I'm prepared to try anything if it helps me to get better

llevaron el coche a que le probaran los frenos they took the car to have the brakes tested

fortuna, suerte

3 ‹ropa› to try on probarle algo A algn to try sth ON sb

no le puedo comprar zapatos sin probárselos I can't buy shoes for him without him trying them on o without trying them on him

la modista sólo me probó el vestido una vez the dressmaker only gave me one fitting for the dress

4 (poner a prueba) ‹empleado/honradez› to test

dejaron el dinero allí para probarlo they left the money there to test him

■ probar

vi

1 (intentar) to try

déjame probar a mí let me try, let me have a go

probar no cuesta nada there's no harm in trying

¿has probado con quitamanchas? have you tried using stain remover?

probar A + INF to try -ING

prueba a hacerlo de la otra manera try doing it the other way

2 (ant) (sentar) (+ me/te/le etc) to suit

la vida de ciudad no le prueba city life doesn't suit him

■ probarse

v pron

‹ropa/zapatos› to try on

¿quiere probárselo? would you like to try it on?

quisiera probarme uno más grande I'd like to try a larger size

* * *

 

probar (conjugate probar) verbo transitivo
1 (demostrar) ‹teoría/inocencia› to prove
2

a) ‹vino/sopa› to taste;

(por primera vez) to try

b) ‹método› to try;

‹coche/mecanismo› to try out

c) ‹ropa› to try on;

probarle algo A algn to try sth on sb

d) (poner a prueba) ‹empleado/honradez› to test;

‹arma/vehículo› to test (out)
verbo intransitivo (intentar) to try;
probar A hacer algo to try doing sth
probarse verbo pronominal ‹ropa/zapatos› to try on
probar
I verbo transitivo
1 (una teoría, un hecho) to prove
2 (una máquina, un aparato, etc) to test
3 (comida, bebida) to try
(sabor, etc) to taste: no prueba el alcohol, he never touches alcohol
II vi (intentar) to try ➣ Ver nota en try
'probar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
bocado
- gustar
- suerte
- acreditar
- atestiguar
- fortuna
- tentar
English:
go
- little
- prove
- sample
- substantiate
- taste
- test
- test drive
- try
- try out
- authenticate
- hand
- onus
- unproven

* * *

probar

♦ vt

1. [demostrar, indicar] to prove;

eso prueba que tenía razón that shows I was right

2. [comprobar] to test, to check;

prueba tú mismo la potencia de mi coche see for yourself how powerful my car is

3. [experimentar] to try;

lo hemos probado todo we've tried everything;

probaron a varios actores antes de encontrar el que buscaban they tried o auditioned various actors before finding the one they were looking for

4. [ropa] to try on;

probar una camisa to try on a shirt

5. [degustar] to taste, to try;

¿has probado alguna vez el caviar? have you ever tasted o tried caviar?;

no prueba el vino desde hace meses he hasn't touched wine for months;

no he probado bocado en todo el día I haven't had a bite to eat all day

♦ vi

1. [tratar de]

probar a hacer algo to try to do sth;

prueba a nadar de espaldas try swimming backstroke;

deja que pruebe yo let me try;

por probar no se pierde nada there's no harm in trying

2. [degustar]

probar de todo to try a bit of everything

♦ See also the pronominal verb probarse

* * *

probar

I v/t

1 teoría test, try out

2 (comer un poco de) taste, try; (comer por primera vez) try

3 (justificar) prove

II v/i try;

probar a hacer try doing

* * *

probar {19} vt

1) : to demonstrate, to prove

2) : to test, to try out

3) : to try on (clothing)

4) : to taste, to sample

probar vi

: to try

♦ See also the reflexive verb probarse

* * *

probar vb

1. (examinar) to test / to try [pt. & pp. tried]

pruébalo para ver si funciona try it to see if it works

2. (demostrar) to prove

el abogado no pudo probar nada the lawyer couldn't prove anything

3. (catar) to taste

el cocinero probó el guiso the cook tasted the stew

4. (intentar) to try

probó a batir el récord she tried to break the record