prueba
/ˈpɾweba/feminine
In Spanish, the word for 'test' is prueba. Wiktionary also lists test.
Meaning: academics: examination (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prueba | /ˈpɾweba/ | feminine |
| test | /ˈtest/ | masculine |
In academic contexts, both prueba and test are used to mean an examination. While these terms often refer to smaller assessments, the word examen is more commonly used for major, formal academic examinations.
Which one should you use?
The feminine noun prueba is a general term for any kind of academic test or trial. The masculine noun test is often used specifically to refer to standardized, multiple-choice or psychological assessments.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the feminine noun prueba is pruebas, while the plural of the masculine noun test is tests.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɾweba/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying tomar un test to mean 'to take a test', as this is a common error caused by English interference. Instead, use hacer un test or realizar un test.
Did you know?
- If you are watching a crime drama in Spanish, the 'evidence' presented by the police will often be called pruebas.
- The word prueba shares an ancient root with the English word 'prove', as both descend from the Latin probāre, meaning 'to test' or 'to prove'.
- The word prueba is much more versatile than 'test' and can also be used to mean a 'clue' in a mystery or a 'sample' of a product.
Examples in context
- El test fue fácil.The test was easy.This sentence shows how to describe the difficulty of a test.Tatoeba #4916963 by Shishir, translation #3052985 by CK
- Tom pasó la prueba.Tom passed the test.This sentence shows the use of prueba in the context of passing an assessment.Tatoeba #1174939 by marcelostockle, translation #1164328 by CK
- ¿No pasaste la prueba?You didn't pass the test?This sentence shows how to ask a question about passing a prueba.Tatoeba #3666751 by Seael, translation #2729655 by orge
- Tengo un examen de matemáticas mañana.I have a math test tomorrow.
- Debo estudiar para la prueba de historia.I need to study for the history test.
- Espero que la pruebita de ciencias sea fácil.I hope the little science test is easy.
- Debo estudiar para el examen de español.I need to study for the Spanish test.
- Él pasa mucho tiempo estudiando para sus pruebitas.He spends a lot of time studying for his little tests.
- ¿Cómo te fue en el examen de historia?How did your history test go?
- El examen de física fue complicado.The physics test was complicated.
- La pruebita de matemáticas me voló la cabeza.The little math test blew my mind.
- 92 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking in the school hallway.
- DanielMaría, ¿estás lista para la prueba?María, are you ready for the test?
- MaríaNo, no estudié nada anoche.No, I didn't study anything last night.
- DanielYo creo que la prueba será difícil.I think the test will be difficult.
- MaríaEspero que sea corta.I hope it is short.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “test” translations and entries prueba, test, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries prueba, test, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
