versuchen vs ausprobieren
German word comparison
Listen to versuchen
Listen to ausprobieren
| versuchen | ausprobieren |
|---|---|
fer-ZOO-khen verb | /ˈaʊsˌpʁoːbiːʁən/ verb |
| to try; to attempt (to do something) | to try out, to test something to see how it works |
How they differ
Ausprobieren implies actively testing or trying something out (often for the first time or as an experiment) and suggests evaluating its effect or function; versuchen can be a single attempt and does not necessarily carry the 'test/experiment' nuance.
When to use each
When to use versuchen: Use 'versuchen' for a general attempt or effort without the specific implication of testing functionality.
When to use ausprobieren: Use 'ausprobieren' when you want to convey trying something out to see how it works (tools, methods, gadgets, recipes).
Side-by-side examples
- Er versucht, das Problem zu lösen.
(He is trying to solve the problem.) - Er probiert eine neue Lösung aus.
(He is trying out a new solution.)
Register & nuance: Ausprobieren is neutral and common in both spoken and written German, with a hands-on/testing connotation.