probieren vs kosten
German word comparison
Listen to probieren
Listen to kosten
| probieren | kosten |
|---|---|
pro-BEE-ren verb | /ˈkɔstən/ verb |
| to try (out); to taste | to taste; to sample (food or drink); also 'to cost' in a different sense |
How they differ
Kosten specifically refers to tasting or sampling food and drink and cannot be used for trying out activities or objects. Probieren is broader (can mean taste, try on, or attempt), whereas kosten is restricted to sampling flavors and also has the separate meaning 'to cost' (price).
When to use each
When to use probieren: Use 'probieren' when you want a general 'try' that could mean tasting, trying on, or attempting something.
When to use kosten: Use 'kosten' specifically when referring to tasting or sampling food or drink (e.g., at a tasting or when sampling a bite).
Side-by-side examples
- Probier doch mal den Wein.
(Do try/taste the wine.) - Möchtest du den Wein kosten?
(Would you like to taste/sample the wine?)
Register & nuance: Kosten is neutral but more specific and common in culinary contexts; it can sound slightly more formal or technical when referring to tastings.