Meaning
To wear garments to check fit before buying.
Cultural Background
In German department stores, you often receive a plastic token with a number on it indicating how many items of clothing you are taking into the fitting room. In traditional Trachten shops (selling Dirndls and Lederhosen), 'anprobieren' is a serious process that often involves the help of a specialized assistant to ensure the fit is historically accurate. Swiss boutiques are known for high-end service. 'Anprobieren' here often comes with an offer of water or espresso, emphasizing the 'shopping experience'. The 'Try-on Haul' (Anprobe-Video) is a popular YouTube/TikTok trend in Germany, where influencers 'anprobieren' their latest purchases for their followers.
The 'An' Rule
If you can wear it, use 'anprobieren'. If you can't wear it, use 'ausprobieren'.
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to kick the 'an' to the end of the sentence in the present tense!
Meaning
To wear garments to check fit before buying.
The 'An' Rule
If you can wear it, use 'anprobieren'. If you can't wear it, use 'ausprobieren'.
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to kick the 'an' to the end of the sentence in the present tense!
Honesty in the Kabine
If a German friend asks 'Wie sieht das aus?', they expect an honest answer, not just a polite one.
Master the Perfect
Practice saying 'Ich habe es anprobiert' until it feels natural. It's the most common way to talk about shopping trips.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'anprobieren' in the present tense.
Ich _______ {die|f} Jacke _______.
In the present tense, 'anprobieren' splits: 'probiere' stays in the second position, and 'an' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct?
You are in a store and want to try on a hat.
'Anprobieren' is the specific verb for clothing and accessories.
Complete the dialogue.
Kunde: Wo sind {die|f} Kabinen? Ich möchte {das|n} Kleid _______. Verkäufer: Dort links.
After 'möchte' (modal verb), the main verb 'anprobieren' goes to the end in its infinitive form.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You tried on a shirt and it was too small.
Uses the perfect tense 'habe anprobiert' to describe a completed action.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch _______ {die|f} Jacke _______.
In the present tense, 'anprobieren' splits: 'probiere' stays in the second position, and 'an' goes to the end.
You are in a store and want to try on a hat.
'Anprobieren' is the specific verb for clothing and accessories.
Kunde: Wo sind {die|f} Kabinen? Ich möchte {das|n} Kleid _______. Verkäufer: Dort links.
After 'möchte' (modal verb), the main verb 'anprobieren' goes to the end in its infinitive form.
Situation: You tried on a shirt and it was too small.
Uses the perfect tense 'habe anprobiert' to describe a completed action.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly fine for shoes, though 'anprobieren' is the most common verb for all wearable items.
It is neutral. It's appropriate in a luxury store and at a flea market.
'Anprobieren' is to test the fit. 'Anziehen' is simply the act of putting clothes on.
Say: 'Ich möchte das anprobieren.'
No, you can just say 'etwas anprobieren' if the context of clothes is clear.
For clothes, it is always 'anprobiert'. 'Geprobt' is for rehearsals (like a play).
You go to '{die|f} Umkleidekabine' or '{die|f} Kabine'.
No, for perfume you use 'ausprobieren' or 'testen'.
It takes the Accusative case.
Only in simple tenses (Present, Past) and Imperative. In Perfect or with Modals, it stays attached or moves differently.
Related Phrases
etwas anziehen
similarto put something on
etwas ausprobieren
similarto try something out
passen
builds onto fit
stehen
builds onto suit/look good on
umtauschen
relatedto exchange
