Comprobar vs. verificar vs. revisar vs. chequear vs. checar
The Spanish words comprobar, verificar, revisar, chequear, and checar all translate to the English idea of checking or verifying. However, they differ in their level of formality, their regional usage, and the specific type of examination they describe. The differences range from proving that something is true, to performing a thorough physical inspection, to casually checking a phone or schedule.
Comprobar
The word comprobar means to confirm, prove, or verify that something is true, accurate, or functioning correctly, often by testing it or finding evidence.
Voy a comprobar si la puerta principal está cerrada con llave.
(I am going to check if the front door is locked.)
El científico hizo varios experimentos para comprobar su teoría.
(The scientist did several experiments to prove his theory.)
Necesito comprobar mi saldo antes de hacer la compra.
(I need to check my balance before making the purchase.)
Comprueba los resultados de la ecuación para asegurarte de que no hay errores.
(Check the results of the equation to make sure there are no errors.)
Verificar
The word verificar is a more formal term used to establish the authenticity, exactness, or truth of something, heavily used in administrative, official, or technical contexts.
El sistema te enviará un mensaje de texto para verificar tu identidad.
(The system will send you a text message to verify your identity.)
Los auditores vinieron a verificar los registros contables de la empresa.
(The auditors came to check the company's accounting records.)
Por favor, verifica que la dirección de envío sea la correcta.
(Please verify that the shipping address is correct.)
El guardia de seguridad tiene que verificar el pase de cada visitante.
(The security guard has to check the pass of each visitor.)
Revisar
The word revisar focuses on the physical or visual inspection of an object, document, or place to look for errors, study its contents, or assess its overall condition.
El mecánico necesita revisar los frenos del coche porque hacen ruido.
(The mechanic needs to check the car brakes because they make noise.)
El profesor tiene que revisar treinta ensayos esta noche.
(The teacher has to review thirty essays tonight.)
Los agentes de aduanas van a revisar el equipaje de todos los pasajeros.
(The customs agents are going to inspect the luggage of all passengers.)
Siempre reviso mis bolsillos antes de poner la ropa en la lavadora.
(I always check my pockets before putting clothes in the washing machine.)
Chequear
The word chequear is an everyday Anglicism derived from the English word check, widely used across Latin America and Spain for casual, quick checks, medical check-ups, or verifying daily information.
Voy a chequear mi correo electrónico rápidamente antes de salir.
(I am going to check my email quickly before leaving.)
El médico me dijo que debo chequear mi presión arterial todas las mañanas.
(The doctor told me I must check my blood pressure every morning.)
Puedes chequear en la aplicación a qué hora sale nuestro tren.
(You can check on the app what time our train leaves.)
Ellos van a chequear las instalaciones eléctricas mañana.
(They are going to check the electrical installations tomorrow.)
Checar
The word checar is a regional variation of chequear that is predominantly used in Mexico and parts of Central America for any casual checking, looking over something, or even clocking in at a workplace.
Déjame checar si tengo suficiente dinero en efectivo para pagar la cuenta.
(Let me check if I have enough cash to pay the bill.)
Todos los empleados tienen que checar su tarjeta al llegar a la fábrica.
(All employees have to clock in when they arrive at the factory.)
El jefe va a checar el reporte de ventas durante la junta.
(The boss is going to check the sales report during the meeting.)
Checa la temperatura del horno para que no se queme la pizza.
(Check the oven temperature so the pizza does not burn.)
Summary
In summary, choose comprobar when you need to confirm a fact, prove a theory, or ensure something works. Use verificar for formal, technical, or official authentications like passwords and identities. Opt for revisar when performing a thorough physical or visual inspection to find mistakes or assess a condition. Finally, use chequear as a versatile, casual term in Latin America and Spain, or its regional equivalent checar if you are communicating specifically in Mexico or Central America.