German word

probieren

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁoˈbiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbtry

Example

Ich probiere das Gericht.

I'm trying the dish.

Illustration for probieren (try)

More examples

Am Wochenende möchte ich das Dessert im Restaurant probieren.

At the weekend, I would like to taste the dessert at the restaurant.

Core concept

A person tests a small bite firsthand, extending the same act of testing to a dish, method, or idea.

Common phrases

  • ein neues Rezept probieren

    try a new recipe

  • im Restaurant das Dessert probieren

    taste the dessert at the restaurant

Similar words

ausprobieren: Testing a new device, method, or activity in practice.
versuchen: Attempting an action to find out whether it succeeds.
kosten: Tasting a small amount of food or drink to assess its flavor.
schmecken: Indicating how something tastes or what flavor it has.

Definition in German

mit dem Mund etwas kosten, um den Geschmack zu prüfen; im übertragenen Sinn auch 'etwas ausprobieren'

Word origin

Probieren comes from Latin probare, 'to test or approve', and German uses this borrowed verb for tasting as well as trying something out.

Usage tips

  • With food, probieren usually means tasting, while 'ausprobieren' more clearly means trying out a device, method, or activity.

Other meanings

  • tasteverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word