prüfbare

Prüfbare is a German adjective meaning "testable" or "verifiable." In ordinary usage it describes claims, hypotheses, or theories whose truth value can be established through observation, experiment, or logical analysis. In technical contexts the noun form das Prüfbare can be used to refer to things that are testable, though the adjective usage is far more common.

Etymology and usage notes: The term is formed from prüfen (to test) and the suffix -bar (capable of). It overlaps with related concepts such as verifiability and testability. In German-language science and philosophy, prüfbar is used to classify statements by whether evidence could, in principle, confirm or refute them.

In science and philosophy: Prüfbar statements are those for which a procedure or set of observations could yield supporting or refuting evidence. The concept is central to debates about empirical adequacy and the demarcation between science and non-science. In German discussions of theory evaluation, a hypothesis may be described as prüfbar if it makes predictions that can be tested under defined conditions. The term is often contrasted with unprüfbar (not testable) or unverifizierbar (unverifiable). While prüfbar emphasizes potential testing, falsifizierbarkeit (falsifiability) is a related criterion that has been highlighted in discussions of scientific demarcation, notably in Popperian philosophy.

Examples: A hypothesis such as "This chemical reaction yields a color change at a given pH" is prüfbar because experiments can confirm or disconfirm it. The idea of prüfbare hypotheses underpins empirical investigation, model validation, and the revision of theories in light of new data.

See also: verifiability, testability, falsifiability, empirical evidence.