auf die Probe stellen
To put to the test
حرفيًا: to put onto the test
Use it when a person's character or an object's quality faces a difficult challenge.
في 15 ثانية
- To test the limits of someone or something.
- Commonly used for relationships, patience, and quality.
- Not for school exams; use for real-life challenges.
المعنى
This phrase is used when you want to see if someone or something is as strong, loyal, or effective as they claim to be. It's like a stress test for relationships, patience, or even a new pair of hiking boots.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about a difficult child
Die Kinder stellen meine Geduld heute wirklich auf die Probe.
The kids are really putting my patience to the test today.
Testing new equipment
Wir müssen das neue Auto erst im Gebirge auf die Probe stellen.
We need to put the new car to the test in the mountains first.
Business meeting regarding a strategy
Die Krise wird unsere neue Strategie auf die Probe stellen.
The crisis will put our new strategy to the test.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase stems from the tradition of craftsmanship and engineering in German-speaking countries. Before a product could be sold, it had to undergo a 'Probe' or trial to ensure it wouldn't fail under pressure. Today, it reflects the German value of 'Gründlichkeit' (thoroughness), where trust is earned through proven durability.
The Patience Connection
If you only learn one version, learn 'meine Geduld auf die Probe stellen'. It's the most common way Germans complain about waiting!
Not for School
Never tell a teacher you are 'auf die Probe stellen' for an exam. They will think you are testing their character, not taking a test!
في 15 ثانية
- To test the limits of someone or something.
- Commonly used for relationships, patience, and quality.
- Not for school exams; use for real-life challenges.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as a high-stakes stress test. You aren't just asking a simple question. You are pushing something to its absolute limit to see if it breaks. It is about finding the truth behind the surface. If a bridge carries a heavy truck, it’s being tested. If your best friend forgets your birthday, your friendship is being tested. It is about verifying strength, loyalty, or quality in a real-world scenario.
How To Use It
The grammar is quite straightforward for you. You use the verb stellen at the end of the clause in most cases. The person or thing being tested goes right after auf die. For example: Das Schicksal stellt uns auf die Probe. It works exactly like "to put" in English. You can use it with people, objects, or abstract concepts like "patience." Just remember to use the accusative case for the thing you are testing.
When To Use It
Use it when life gets a bit difficult. Use it when you buy a new gadget and want to see if it's actually waterproof. Go jump in a puddle! That is putting your shoes auf die Probe. Use it in office meetings to discuss a new marketing strategy. It sounds professional yet very clear. It is also perfect for talking about deep relationships. If you survive a long road trip together, you've put your bond auf die Probe and won.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for school tests or university exams. If you have a math exam, use eine Prüfung schreiben. This phrase is for "life tests," not paper-and-pen tests. Also, don't use it for simple tasting. If you try a small piece of chocolate, use probieren. Auf die Probe stellen is much more serious and intense. You wouldn't "test the limits" of a single grape at the supermarket, right?
Cultural Background
Germany is famous for its "Prüfstand" (test bench) culture. Everything must be certified, stamped, and tested for quality. This phrase reflects that deep-seated desire for certainty and reliability. It’s not about being cynical or mean. It is about wanting to trust something fully. Once something passes the Probe, it is considered truly reliable. In German culture, a "tested" friendship is worth more than a new one.
Common Variations
The most common variation you will hear is jemandes Geduld auf die Probe stellen. You will hear parents say this to their energetic children daily. Another great one is den Mut auf die Probe stellen. This means testing someone's courage in a scary situation. You can also say etwas einer harten Probe unterziehen. This is a bit more formal but carries the same weight of a difficult trial.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is neutral and can be used in almost any context. Just remember that it implies a certain level of intensity or a 'make or break' moment.
The Patience Connection
If you only learn one version, learn 'meine Geduld auf die Probe stellen'. It's the most common way Germans complain about waiting!
Not for School
Never tell a teacher you are 'auf die Probe stellen' for an exam. They will think you are testing their character, not taking a test!
The 'TÜV' Mindset
Germans love certifications (like the TÜV for cars). This phrase is the linguistic version of that—nothing is trusted until it's been through the fire.
أمثلة
6Die Kinder stellen meine Geduld heute wirklich auf die Probe.
The kids are really putting my patience to the test today.
A very common everyday expression for parents.
Wir müssen das neue Auto erst im Gebirge auf die Probe stellen.
We need to put the new car to the test in the mountains first.
Refers to testing physical durability.
Die Krise wird unsere neue Strategie auf die Probe stellen.
The crisis will put our new strategy to the test.
Professional use regarding business resilience.
Die 20km-Wanderung hat meine Fitness echt auf die Probe gestellt!
The 20km hike really put my fitness to the test!
Informal way to talk about physical limits.
Die Fernbeziehung stellt ihre Liebe auf die Probe.
The long-distance relationship is putting their love to the test.
Used for emotional and relational challenges.
Diese schweren Zeiten stellen den Zusammenhalt unserer Gesellschaft auf die Probe.
These difficult times are putting the cohesion of our society to the test.
High-level formal register.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Deine ständigen Verspätungen ___ meine Geduld ___ die ___.
The phrase always uses the verb 'stellen' and the preposition 'auf die Probe'.
Which object fits best in this context?
Der Sturm stellte die ___ des Hauses auf die Probe.
You test the 'stability' (Stabilität) of a house during a storm, not its color or number.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'auf die Probe stellen'
Used with friends about small annoyances.
Du stellst meine Geduld auf die Probe!
Standard usage for most life situations.
Wir stellen das Produkt auf die Probe.
Used in politics or serious journalism.
Die Demokratie wird auf die Probe gestellt.
When to use 'auf die Probe stellen'
Relationships
Testing loyalty or love.
Product Testing
Checking if a tool works.
Patience
Dealing with a slow computer.
Physical Limits
Running a marathon.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIn this context, Probe means a trial, an ordeal, or a test of quality. It comes from the Latin 'probare', meaning to prove or test.
No, that would sound very strange. For food, use probieren or kosten. Auf die Probe stellen is for durability and character.
Yes, it is perfectly fine. For example, Wir müssen die Belastbarkeit der Server auf die Probe stellen (We need to test the server load).
Testen is more technical and neutral. Auf die Probe stellen sounds more dramatic and implies a real challenge or potential failure.
Yes, you can say someone is putting your nerves auf die Probe. It’s a polite way of saying they are being very annoying.
Yes, the thing being tested is in the accusative case. For example: Er stellt MICH (acc.) auf die Probe.
Yes, you can talk about a Zerreißprobe. This is a 'tearing test' or a breaking point, often used for relationships.
Sure! You could say, Ich stelle mein Zeichentalent auf die Probe (I'm putting my drawing talent to the test).
You would say die Probe bestehen. For example: Unsere Freundschaft hat die Probe bestanden.
Extremely common. You will hear it in news reports, movies, and daily conversations about stress or quality.
عبارات ذات صلة
jemanden herausfordern (to challenge someone)
etwas ausprobieren (to try something out)
eine Prüfung bestehen (to pass an exam)
an seine Grenzen stoßen (to reach one's limits)
die Belastungsprobe (the stress test)
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