anprobieren

§ What Anprobieren Means and When to Use It

DEFINITION

Anprobieren means 'to try on' something, specifically clothing, to see if it fits. Think of it like walking into a changing room at a store. You're not just putting the clothes on; you're putting them on to assess the fit and look.

This verb is essential for anyone shopping for clothes in Germany. You'll hear it constantly in stores, and you'll need it to ask if you can try something on yourself. It's a compound verb, which means it's made of two parts: 'an' and 'probieren'. 'Probieren' on its own means 'to try' or 'to taste', but when you add 'an', it specifically means trying on clothes. Don't confuse it with just 'anziehen', which means 'to put on' clothes in a general sense, like getting dressed in the morning. When you 'anprobieren' something, there's an implied intention of checking the fit and deciding whether to buy it.

Let's look at some common situations where you'd use 'anprobieren'.

• In a clothing store: This is the most obvious use. If you want to try on a shirt, a pair of pants, or a dress, you'll use 'anprobieren'.
• At home, after buying clothes: Even if you buy something online, you still 'probieren es an' when it arrives to see if it fits before deciding to keep it.
• With friends: If a friend brings over some clothes they think might suit you, you would 'anprobieren' them.

The key is the purpose: to check the fit and suitability of clothing. It's not just about wearing it; it's about evaluating it.

Here, 'anprobieren' clearly indicates you want to go to a changing room and see how the pants look and feel.

This sentence highlights the necessity of trying on the item to make a purchase decision.

Let's contrast 'anprobieren' with some other verbs you might encounter related to clothes:

• Anziehen: To put on (clothes in general). Ich ziehe einen Pullover an. (I put on a sweater.) This is just getting dressed.
• Tragen: To wear. Ich trage heute ein rotes Hemd. (I'm wearing a red shirt today.) This describes what you have on.

So, if you're standing in front of a mirror at home, getting ready for the day, you 'ziehst' your clothes 'an'. If you're in a fitting room at a shop, trying to decide if you like a new jacket, you 'probierst' the jacket 'an'. The distinction is important for sounding natural and correct in German.

Another thing to note is that 'anprobieren' usually takes a direct object (the piece of clothing) and it's always in the accusative case. So, you try on 'die Hose' (feminine, accusative) or 'den Mantel' (masculine, accusative).

See how 'an' moves to the end of the sentence? This is typical for separable verbs in main clauses. Mastering this separation is a key step in becoming more comfortable with German verbs.

§ Anprobieren: What It Means

German Word

anprobieren (verb)

CEFR Level

A1

Definition

To put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits.

The verb "anprobieren" is essential for shopping for clothes in German. It's a separable verb, which means the prefix "an-" separates from the main verb "probieren" in most simple sentences. Let's look at common errors so you can avoid them.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing Anprobieren with Anziehen or Tragen

Many beginners mix up "anprobieren" with "anziehen" (to put on, to get dressed) or "tragen" (to wear). While all three relate to clothing, their meanings are distinct.

• Anprobieren: This specifically means to try on clothes to check the fit and appearance. It implies an intention to potentially purchase or assess the item.
• Anziehen: This means to put clothes on as part of getting dressed. It doesn't carry the implication of testing for fit or buying.
• Tragen: This means to wear clothes. It describes the state of having clothes on, not the act of putting them on or trying them.

§ Mistake 2: Incorrect Separation of the Prefix

"Anprobieren" is a separable verb. In simple main clauses, the prefix "an-" goes to the very end of the sentence. This is a common stumbling block for English speakers, as English doesn't have an equivalent grammatical structure.

A common mistake is to keep the prefix and verb together, like in English.

• Incorrect: Ich anprobiere das Hemd.
• Correct: Ich probiere das Hemd an.

In dependent clauses (subordinate clauses) and with modal verbs, the prefix stays attached to the verb.

§ Mistake 3: Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun (Sometimes)

While "anprobieren" isn't always reflexive, it often appears with a reflexive pronoun (sich) when you're trying something on for yourself. This isn't strictly an error if omitted, but it sounds more natural to include it when the action is self-directed.

Here, "mir" is the dative reflexive pronoun. If you just say "Ich probiere die Hose an," it's understood, but adding "mir" emphasizes that you're doing it for your own benefit.

§ Mistake 4: Using the Wrong Preposition or No Preposition

Sometimes learners try to add prepositions where none are needed, or they use the wrong one. "Anprobieren" directly takes an accusative object (the item of clothing) without a preposition.

• Incorrect: Ich probiere an dem Rock an. (Trying to use "an" as a preposition)
• Correct: Ich probiere den Rock an.

The "an-" in "anprobieren" is part of the verb, not a separate preposition governing the object.

§ Summary of Anprobieren

To master "anprobieren," remember these points:

• It's specifically for trying on clothes to check fit.
• It's a separable verb: "an" goes to the end in simple sentences.
• Consider using a reflexive pronoun ("mir") when trying on clothes for yourself.
• No additional prepositions are needed before the direct object.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you'll use "anprobieren" correctly and confidently in your German shopping adventures. Keep practicing, and you'll get it right!