The Present Tense of Probar is used to describe actions happening now or facts that are currently true. For example, Pruebo la comida antes de servirla. (I taste the food before serving it.)

Probar is a stem-changing verb, meaning the vowel in the stem changes in certain conjugations. The o changes to ue in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Probar (to try/test) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

Probar generally means to try, test or taste something, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To try or test: For example, Yo pruebo el nuevo videojuego antes de comprarlo. (I try the new video game before buying it.)

To taste: For example, Pruebo la comida antes de servirla. (I taste the food before serving it.)

To experience: For example, Pruebo la emoción de ganar un premio. (I experience the thrill of winning a prize.)

To attempt: For example, Pruebo resolver el problema por mi cuenta. (I attempt to solve the problem on my own.)

To try on (clothes): For example, Pruebo la camisa antes de comprarla. (I try on the shirt before buying it.)

Colloquial usage (rude): For example, ¡Prueba esta, idiota! (Try this, idiot! – implying a physical challenge or insult)

Examples

Examples of Probar in the Present Tense

Yo pruebo la comida antes de servirla para asegurarme de que tenga buen sabor. (I taste the food before serving it to make sure it tastes good.)

Tú pruebas la ropa antes de comprarla para ver si te queda bien, ¿verdad? (You try on the clothes before buying them to see if they fit you well, right?)

Ella prueba diferentes técnicas de meditación para reducir el estrés. (She tries different meditation techniques to reduce stress.)

Nosotros probamos nuevos restaurantes cada fin de semana para descubrir nuevos sabores. (We try new restaurants every weekend to discover new flavors.)

Ellos prueban diferentes métodos de estudio para prepararse para los exámenes. (They try different study methods to prepare for exams.)

Mi amiga prueba diferentes peinados antes de una cita importante. (My friend tries different hairstyles before an important date.)

¿Pruebas ese nuevo videojuego que acaba de salir? Dicen que es muy emocionante. (Are you trying that new video game that just came out? They say it’s very exciting.)

El equipo de desarrollo prueba el software antes de lanzarlo para detectar errores. (The development team tests the software before releasing it to detect errors.)

Siempre pruebo una nueva receta antes de servirla a los invitados. (I always try a new recipe before serving it to guests.)

Los atletas prueban diferentes rutinas de entrenamiento para mejorar su rendimiento. (Athletes try different training routines to improve their performance.)

¿Pruebas ese nuevo café orgánico? Dicen que tiene un sabor increíble. (Are you trying that new organic coffee? They say it has an amazing flavor.)

Ella prueba diferentes estilos de pintura para encontrar el que mejor se adapta a su expresión artística. (She tries different painting styles to find the one that best suits her artistic expression.)

Nosotros probamos diferentes rutas turísticas para explorar la ciudad de una manera única. (We try different tourist routes to explore the city in a unique way.)

Ellos prueban diferentes estrategias de marketing para llegar a más clientes potenciales. (They try different marketing strategies to reach more potential customers.)

Yo pruebo diferentes técnicas de relajación para manejar el estrés laboral. (I try different relaxation techniques to manage work stress.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Probar (to try/test) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.