prüfen
To check/examine
Use `prüfen` whenever you need to verify facts, test equipment, or examine details for accuracy.
في 15 ثانية
- Use it to verify if something is correct or working.
- Common in professional, technical, and serious everyday contexts.
- Implies a thorough examination rather than a quick glance.
المعنى
It means to take a close look at something to see if it's correct, working, or real. It's like being a detective for a moment to verify the facts.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6At a restaurant with a confusing bill
Ich muss die Rechnung kurz prüfen.
I need to briefly check the bill.
Texting a friend about plans
Ich prüfe meinen Terminkalender und sage dir Bescheid.
I'll check my calendar and let you know.
A boss talking to an employee
Bitte prüfen Sie das Dokument auf Fehler.
Please check the document for errors.
خلفية ثقافية
The word reflects the German 'DIN' (Deutsches Institut für Normung) culture of high standards and engineering. It's deeply tied to the idea of 'Sachlichkeit' (objectivity). In Germany, verifying the facts is seen as a sign of respect for the truth rather than a sign of distrust.
The 'Checken' Alternative
Young Germans often use the Denglish word 'checken'. Use it with friends, but stick to 'prüfen' in your emails to stay classy.
Prüfen vs. Kontrollieren
'Kontrollieren' often means to monitor or supervise. 'Prüfen' is specifically about the act of inspecting or testing something.
في 15 ثانية
- Use it to verify if something is correct or working.
- Common in professional, technical, and serious everyday contexts.
- Implies a thorough examination rather than a quick glance.
What It Means
Prüfen is your go-to word for checking, testing, or examining something. It implies a level of scrutiny. You aren't just glancing at your watch. You are making sure the time is actually accurate. It’s about verification. Think of it as the 'quality control' verb of the German language.
How To Use It
You use it when you need to confirm details. Use it for checking your bank account. Use it when testing if the oven is hot. It usually takes a direct object. You prüfen the facts or prüfen the connection. It sounds active and intentional. It’s a strong, reliable verb for your daily toolkit.
When To Use It
Use it at work when reviewing a report. Use it at a restaurant if the bill looks wrong. Use it when texting a friend to say you'll check your calendar. It’s perfect for technical situations too. If your Wi-Fi dies, you prüfen the router. It shows you are being thorough and responsible.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for a quick 'check-in' with a person. For 'checking on' a sleeping baby, use nachsehen. Avoid it for 'checking out' a cool new bar. That would be auschecken or sich ansehen. Prüfen is too serious for casual flirting or window shopping. It’s for facts, not just vibes.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for being thorough and precise. Prüfen is the linguistic heart of that stereotype. There is a famous German proverb: 'Vertrauen ist gut, Kontrolle ist besser.' This means 'Trust is good, control is better.' Prüfen is how you exert that 'Kontrolle.' It’s about safety, standards, and making sure things work as promised.
Common Variations
You will often hear überprüfen. This is like 'double-checking' or 'verifying.' It’s slightly more intense than the standard version. Then there is the Prüfung. That is the dreaded word for an exam or a test. Every German student knows the stress of a Prüfung. If you want to sound very casual, you might just say checken, but prüfen keeps you sounding smart.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
It sits in the perfect middle ground of formality. It's never wrong in a professional setting, but it's also not too 'stiff' for home use. Just remember it's about facts, not feelings.
The 'Checken' Alternative
Young Germans often use the Denglish word 'checken'. Use it with friends, but stick to 'prüfen' in your emails to stay classy.
Prüfen vs. Kontrollieren
'Kontrollieren' often means to monitor or supervise. 'Prüfen' is specifically about the act of inspecting or testing something.
TÜV-geprüft
You'll see 'TÜV-geprüft' on many products. It means it passed Germany's strict safety inspections. It's the ultimate badge of honor!
أمثلة
6Ich muss die Rechnung kurz prüfen.
I need to briefly check the bill.
Used here to ensure no mistakes were made in the total.
Ich prüfe meinen Terminkalender und sage dir Bescheid.
I'll check my calendar and let you know.
A polite way to say you need to see if you're free.
Bitte prüfen Sie das Dokument auf Fehler.
Please check the document for errors.
A standard professional request for proofreading.
Hast du die Internetverbindung geprüft?
Did you check the internet connection?
Commonly used for troubleshooting technology.
Ich habe dein Gehirn geprüft und nichts gefunden!
I checked your brain and found nothing!
A playful, lighthearted insult among close friends.
Ich muss meine Gefühle erst einmal prüfen.
I need to examine my feelings first.
Used for deep personal or psychological introspection.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct form of the verb for the sentence.
Kannst du bitte den Reifendruck ___?
After 'kannst du' (modal verb), we need the infinitive form at the end.
Which word fits best in a professional email context?
Wir werden Ihr Angebot sorgfältig ___.
'Prüfen' is the standard formal term for reviewing an offer or proposal.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Prüfen'
Using 'checken' with friends
Check das mal.
Standard 'prüfen' for daily tasks
Ich prüfe die E-Mails.
Official examination or audit
Die Unterlagen werden geprüft.
Where to use Prüfen
At the Bank
Kontostand prüfen
At Home
Die Milch prüfen
At Work
E-Mails prüfen
In a Car
Ölstand prüfen
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلة'Prüfen' is the proper German word, while 'checken' is casual slang. Use Ich prüfe das at work and Ich check das with your buddies.
Only in a medical or official sense, like a doctor examining a patient. For 'checking on' someone emotionally, use nach jemandem sehen.
Mostly, yes. Überprüfen often implies a more thorough 'double-check' or a review of something already done.
You use the noun form: Ich habe eine Prüfung. You don't usually use the verb prüfen for yourself taking the test.
Yes! If you are checking if the meat is cooked or if the milk is sour, you can say Ich prüfe das Fleisch.
It is neutral to formal. It's perfectly fine in a shop, at a bank, or in a business meeting.
That is a 'goods inspection.' It's a common term in logistics and retail when checking incoming stock.
No, for 'to try' food or clothes, use probieren or anprobieren. Prüfen is strictly for examining/testing.
Yes, a system might say Passwort wird geprüft... (Password is being verified...).
Using it for 'checking out' a person you find attractive. Use abchecken for that, or better yet, just ansehen.
عبارات ذات صلة
überprüfen (to double-check)
untersuchen (to investigate/examine)
kontrollieren (to control/monitor)
testen (to test)
nachsehen (to look up/check on)
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