21 December 2025
How do you say Test or Rehearsal in German?
The German word for test, sample, or rehearsal is die Probe.Its meaning depends on the context: it can refer to a medical or scientific sample, a trial or test of something, or a rehearsal for a concert or play.
It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it appears across fields from art to medicine to everyday conversation.
Gender and Pronunciation
It’s a feminine noun: die Probe.Need help mastering gender? Our video lesson gives you a clear shortcut system.
Pronunciation:Probe is pronounced [PROH-buh]
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“Pro” has a long, steady o [oː], without the glide in American go
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“buh” as in bananaTwo syllables: PROH-buh
Example sentences
Die Probe beginnt um 18 Uhr.The rehearsal starts at 6 p.m.
Wir brauchen eine Blutprobe.We need a blood sample.
Das war nur eine Probephase.That was just a test phase.
Nuance and usage tips
🎭 In the arts, Probe means rehearsal: Theaterprobe, Musikprobe.
🧪 In medicine or science, it refers to samples: Gewebeprobe (tissue sample), Blutprobe (blood sample).
🛠️ In general language, it also means a test or trial run: Produktprobe (product sample), Probezeit (trial period at work).
How does this word come up in real conversations?
“Hast du heute noch Probe mit der Band?”Do you still have band rehearsal today?
“Die Probe war positiv.”The test came back positive.
“In der Probezeit muss man besonders pünktlich sein.”During the probation period, you have to be especially punctual.
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Sophie: Wo gehst du hin?Max: Zur Theaterprobe.Sophie: Ist heute die Generalprobe?Max: Genau! Morgen ist Premiere.
Translation:Sophie: Where are you going?Max: To theater rehearsal.Sophie: Is today the dress rehearsal?Max: Exactly! Opening night is tomorrow.
Grammatical case examples
Nominative:Die Probe war erfolgreich.The test/rehearsal was successful.
Accusative:Wir verschieben die Probe auf Freitag.We’re moving the rehearsal to Friday.
Dative:Mit der Probe war der Arzt zufrieden.The doctor was satisfied with the sample.
Genitive:Die Dauer der Probe war überraschend lang.The duration of the rehearsal was surprisingly long.
Other ways to say test or rehearsal in German
Test (with a short e vowel, as in English test) is common for written or performance-based evaluations. Versuch is more scientific (“experiment”), and Studie is used for formal research. Still, Probe is the most flexible and frequently used term across multiple fields.
Word variations and tidbits
You’ll find Probe in words like:
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Blutprobe - blood sample
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Theaterprobe - theater rehearsal
Probefahrt - test drive -
Produktprobe - product sample
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Probezeit - trial/probation period
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Generalprobe - dress rehearsal
🧠 Fun fact: The phrase auf die Probe stellen means “to put someone to the test” and is used in both personal and professional contexts.
📘 Duden entry for Probe:https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Probe🎥 Want a test-proof way to learn vocabulary? Our video course teaches you 1000 of the most useful German nouns - with clear examples and lasting results.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what Puppe means? Sometimes she stars in the Probe.And what about Rat? You might need it before the next Probe.
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