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]

• “PROH” rhymes with go

• “buh” as in banana
  Two 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 test).

🛠️ 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 theatre 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:
Ich habe die Probe bestanden.
I passed the test.

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 (pronounced like English) 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:

• Blutprobe – blood test

• Theaterprobe – theatre rehearsal

• Produktprobe – product sample

• Probezeit – trial/probation period

• 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.

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