der  Prüfling

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpʁyːflɪŋ/

🧐 What does "der Prüfling" mean?

Der Prüfling (noun, masculine) refers to a person who is taking or has taken an exam or test. It's the individual whose knowledge, skills, or performance are being evaluated in a formal procedure. In English, this translates to examinee or candidate.

There is also a feminine form: die Prüflingin. Although der Prüfling is sometimes used generically for any gender, the explicitly feminine form is increasingly common.

Examples:

• Ein nervöser Prüfling wartet vor dem Prüfungsraum. (A nervous examinee waits in front of the examination room.)
• Die Prüflinge mussten drei Stunden lang eine Klausur schreiben. (The examinees had to write an exam for three hours.)

Article rules for der, die, and das

🤓 Grammar in Detail: Der Prüfling

"Prüfling" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Prüfling beantwortete alle Fragen korrekt. (The examinee answered all questions correctly.)
2. Die Nervosität des Prüflings war spürbar. (The examinee's nervousness was palpable.)
3. Der Prüfer gab dem Prüfling letzte Anweisungen. (The examiner gave the examinee final instructions.)
4. Sie beobachteten den Prüfling während der gesamten Prüfung. (They observed the examinee during the entire exam.)
5. Die Prüflinge warteten gespannt auf die Ergebnisse. (The examinees waited anxiously for the results.)
6. Die Aufgaben der Prüflinge waren sehr anspruchsvoll. (The tasks of the examinees were very demanding.)
7. Man teilte den Prüflingen die Ergebnisse mit. (The results were communicated to the examinees.)
8. Der Lehrer sammelte die Arbeiten der Prüflinge ein. (The teacher collected the examinees' papers.)

💡 Usage and Context

"Der Prüfling" is used in many contexts where an evaluation takes place:

• Schule & Universität (School & University): Pupils or students during tests, exams, final exams (like Abitur, Bachelor's, Master's).
• Berufsausbildung (Vocational Training): Trainees during intermediate or final exams (e.g., journeyman's examination).
• Führerschein (Driving License): People taking the theoretical or practical driving test.
• Berufliche Weiterbildung & Zertifizierungen (Professional Development & Certifications): Participants in tests for professional qualifications.
• Bewerbungsverfahren (Application Procedures): Candidates in hiring tests or assessment centers.

Important Distinction:

Don't confuse der Prüfling (the person being tested) with der Prüfer (the examiner, the person conducting the test)!

Example: Der Prüfer stellte dem Prüfling eine schwierige Frage. (The examiner asked the examinee a difficult question.)

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article

Think of the typical examinee maybe as a male student (or use the masculine form generically). Many designations for people are masculine in German, hence der Prüfling. Imagine a nervous boy (der Junge) waiting for his test – he is der Prüfling.

Remembering the Meaning

The word comes from "prüfen" (to examine, to test). The Prüfling is the one who is being tested. The ending "-ling" sometimes denotes a person who is subjected to something or has a certain characteristic (like Lehrling - apprentice, Feigling - coward). Think of the Prüfling as being linked to the Prüfung (exam).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Potential for Confusion

Be careful not to confuse "Prüfling" with "Prüfstein" (touchstone, benchmark - something used for testing/evaluation) or "Prüfung" (exam, test - the process itself).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Prüfer den Prüfling: "Was ist ein Scheinwerfer?" Antwortet der Prüfling: "Ein Werfer, der zum Schein wirft!"

English Translation: The examiner asks the examinee: "What is a Scheinwerfer (headlight)?" The examinee answers: "A thrower (Werfer) who throws for show (zum Schein)!"

(Okay, it's a pun and rather weak, but hopefully makes you chuckle!)

📜 Poem about the Prüfling

German:
Der Prüfling sitzt, das Herz ihm schlägt,
Das Wissen auf die Probe legt.
Der Stift fliegt schnell, die Zeit verrinnt,
Ob er die gute Note gewinnt? Der Prüfer blickt, die Stirn in Falten,
Der Prüfling hofft auf gutes Walten.
Möge die Mühe Früchte tragen,
Und er Erfolg nach Hause tragen.

English Translation:
The examinee sits, their heart beats fast,
Their knowledge is put to the test, at last.
The pen flies quickly, time slips away,
Will they achieve a good grade today?
The examiner looks, with a furrowed brow,
The examinee hopes for favour now.
May effort bear the sweetest fruit,
And success be the joyful loot.

🧩 Riddle Time

German:
Ich sitze oft mit bangem Herzen,
Ertrage Fragen, manchmal Schmerzen.
Mein Wissen wird genau beäugt,
Von jemandem, der strengzeugt.
Wer bin ich, sag, in diesem Spiel,
Erreiche ich mein Lernziel?

English Translation:
I often sit with an anxious heart,
Enduring questions, sometimes a hard part.
My knowledge is closely eyed,
By someone strict, where truth can't hide.
Who am I, tell me, in this game,
Will I reach my learning aim?

Solution: Der Prüfling (The examinee)

➕ More Information

Word Formation

The word "Prüfling" is derived from the verb prüfen (to examine, test, assess) with the suffix -ling.

• prüfen: to examine, test, check
• -ling: A suffix used to form nouns, often denoting people (e.g., Lehrling - apprentice, Jüngling - youth, Feigling - coward), sometimes with a slightly passive or dependent connotation.

Cultural Notes

Examination situations and the role of the Prüfling are common themes in German literature and film, as they are associated with stress, hope, and significant life stages.