Which one should you use?
The form compruébalo is used when referring to one thing. If you are referring to multiple things, you should use compruébalos or compruébalas depending on the gender of the objects. While compruébalo is used for a single masculine or neutral item, use compruébala if the thing being checked is a feminine noun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form compruébalo is an informal imperative (the tú form) intended for use with friends, family or peers. For a formal situation involving a stranger or someone in a position of authority, use the formal usted form: compruébelo. Other formal options include Verifíquelo to mean 'check it' or 'verify it', and Revise esto to mean 'check this'. In informal settings, you might also use Mira esto to mean 'look at this' or the phrase Échale un vistazo to mean 'take a look at it'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico, you can use the informal phrase Chécalo to say 'check it'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form compruébalo uses the masculine singular pronoun lo, which functions for masculine nouns or serves as a neutral pronoun for an abstract concept or situation. If the object being checked is feminine, the ending changes to compruébala.
How do you pronounce it?
/kompɾwebalo/
Did you know?
- The word comprobar shares a root with prueba, meaning 'proof' or 'test', meaning that to 'check it' in Spanish literally implies providing proof of the fact.
- The object 'it' in compruébalo is attached to the end of the verb as a suffix rather than appearing as a separate word.
- While compruébalo is a standard translation, it can sound like a rigorous scientific or legal audit to native speakers.
Examples in context
- ¡Compruébalo!Check it out!This example shows how to use compruébalo to say 'Check it out!'Tatoeba #4557795 by swyter, translation #237660 by CK
- Verifíquelo antes de enviarloCheck it before sending it
- Revise esto para asegurarse de que está correctoCheck this to make sure it is correct
- Mira esto, es increíbleCheck this out, it's amazing
- Échale un vistazo a esto, me parece interesanteCheck this out, I find it interesting
- Si no estás seguro, compruébalo.If you are not sure, check it.
- El resultado es extraño, compruébalo de nuevo.The result is strange, check it again.
Example conversation
Elena is reading a mathematical report and Javier notices a mistake.
- JavierEste número parece incorrecto.This number looks incorrect.
- ElenaTienes razón, lo voy a revisar.You are right, I am going to review it.
- JavierCompruébalo con calma.Check it calmly.
- ElenaGracias, Javier, lo haré ahora.Thanks, Javier, I will do it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
