probador
/pɾobadoɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'changing room' is translated into Spanish as probador.
The term probador refers specifically to the small room found in retail stores where customers can try on clothes before making a purchase.
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the verb probar, which means 'to try' or 'to test', making probador literally 'tester' or 'one who tests'.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between retail and residential settings. Use probador for a fitting room in a shop, but use vestidor if you are referring to a dressing room in a house or a walk-in closet.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple rooms, use the plural form probadores.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾobadoɾ/
Did you know?
- While probador is for shops, a professional athlete's changing room in a stadium is called a vestuario, which shares a root with vestidor.
- The root verb probar is used not just for clothes, but also for tasting food or testing a theory, making the probador a 'tester' of any kind.
- If you are at a beach or a pool, you should avoid asking for a probador and instead ask for a vestidor, as the former is strictly reserved for retail environments.
Examples in context
- Me robaron el monedero en el probador.I had my purse stolen in the changing room.This sentence illustrates using probador in a context of theft.Tatoeba #672991 by Shishir, translation #257392 by CK
- Con el traje puesto, Dima salió del probador y sostuvo que quería comprarlo.Keeping the suit on, Dima walked out of the changing room and stated that he wanted to make the purchase.This sentence shows a person exiting the probador after trying on clothes.Tatoeba #505810 by Shishir, translation #504068 by FeuDRenais
- ¿Dónde está el probador?Where is the changing room?This sentence is a common way to ask for the location of the probador.Tatoeba #687643 by lukaszpp, translation #263552 by CC
- Disculpe, ¿dónde están los probadores?Excuse me, where are the changing rooms?
- Perdón, ¿podría indicarme dónde se encuentran los vestidores?Excuse me, could you please show me where the changing rooms are located?
- Oye, ¿sabes dónde están los vestidores?Hey, do you know where the changing rooms are?
- ¿Dónde están los vestidores, por fa?Where are the changing rooms, please?
- ¿Tienen algún espejo en el probador?Do you have a mirror in the changing room?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are shopping for clothes in a mall.
- Sofía¿Dónde está el probador, Alejandro?Where is the changing room, Alejandro?
- AlejandroEstá junto a los espejos, Sofía.It is next to the mirrors, Sofía.
- SofíaGracias, voy a probarme este vestido.Thanks, I am going to try on this dress.
- AlejandroPerfecto, te espero afuera del probador.Perfect, I will wait for you outside the changing room.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
