Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Sample in Spanish: Muestra
Muestra · noun · MWES-trah
Muestra is the standard Spanish noun for sample, covering everything from product samples at a store to scientific specimens in a lab. It derives from the verb mostrar (to show), reflecting the idea that a sample shows you what the whole is like. The verb form, muestrear, is used in technical and marketing contexts.
Say MWES-trah, with the stress on the first syllable. The ue diphthong sounds like the we in west.
¿Me puede dar una muestra gratis?
Can you give me a free sample?
Sample in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sample, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| muestra | sample | MWES-trah | Default, widely understood |
| ejemplo | sample | when referring to an illustrative sample | |
| prueba | sample | in the sense of a test or trial portion |
How Native Speakers Use Muestra
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Requesting a product sample
¿Podría darme una muestra de ese perfume?
Could you give me a sample of that perfume?
Common in shops and cosmetics counters across the Spanish-speaking world.
Laboratory or scientific context
El técnico analizó la muestra de sangre en el laboratorio.
The technician analyzed the blood sample in the laboratory.
Muestra is the standard term in medical and scientific settings.
Statistical or survey context
La encuesta se realizó con una muestra de quinientas personas.
The survey was conducted with a sample of five hundred people.
In research and statistics, muestra refers to the subset being studied.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Muestra
Using sample as a Spanish word
Incorrect: Dame un sample del producto.
Correct: Dame una muestra del producto.
Sample is not a Spanish word. While English loanwords appear in informal speech, muestra is the correct and universally understood term.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: El muestra está listo.
Correct: La muestra está lista.
Muestra is feminine, so it requires the article la and feminine adjective endings like lista instead of listo.
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See Muestra used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Sample in Spanish
- How do you say sample in Spanish?
- The Spanish word for sample is muestra, a feminine noun derived from the verb mostrar (to show). You would say dame una muestra to ask for a sample in a store or market.
- What is the difference between muestra and ejemplo?
- Muestra refers to a physical or representative portion of something, like a product sample or lab specimen. Ejemplo means example and is used when illustrating a concept or making a point, not when handling tangible items.
- Can muestra also mean a sign or display?
- In certain contexts, muestra can mean a sign, display, or demonstration, as in dar muestras de afecto (to show signs of affection). This broader usage comes from the root verb mostrar, which means to show or display.