Prüfling

Prüfling is a German noun (masculine: der Prüfling) that denotes a person or an object undergoing a test, examination, or evaluation. The term is used in several contexts, including education, where it refers to a student or candidate taking an exam, and in science and engineering, where it designates a test specimen or sample subjected to procedures such as material testing or quality control.

Etymology: The word derives from prüfen “to test” with the diminutive/agent suffix -ling, yielding “one who is tested” or “thing that is tested.” The plural form is Prüflinge, and the genitive is des Prüflings.

Usage: In formal German, Prüfling appears mainly in technical or legal-technical texts. In everyday language, more common terms for exam participants are Prüfungsteilnehmer or Kandidat. For test specimens, terms like Prüfobjekt or Prüfkörper are also used.

Examples: Der Prüfling nahm an der Prüfung teil. In der Materialprüfung wurde der Prüfling verwendet, um die Festigkeit des Stahls zu bestimmen.

Notes: The sense must be inferred from context, as Prüfling can refer to a candidate or to a physical specimen, depending on whether the focus is on people or on the test piece. In English, the term is often translated as test subject, examinee, or test specimen, depending on context.