dress rehearsal
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dress rehearsal
The final complete rehearsal of a play, concert, or other performance before the premiere, during which all procedures and technical details are tested.
Die Generalprobe für das Musical findet heute Abend mit Kostümen und Orchester statt.
The dress rehearsal for the musical takes place this evening with costumes and orchestra.
The word is made up of 'General-' and 'Probe' (rehearsal/test). Here, 'General' does not mean a military rank, but derives from the Latin 'generalis' (general, comprehensive). A 'Generalprobe' (dress rehearsal) is therefore the final, comprehensive rehearsal before the premiere.
Bei der Generalprobe muss alles perfekt funktionieren.
At the dress rehearsal, everything has to work perfectly.
To express what the 'Generalprobe' (dress rehearsal) is for, the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative is almost always used.
Die Generalprobe für das neue Theaterstück war ein voller Erfolg.
The dress rehearsal for the new play was a complete success.
Common verbs used in connection with a 'Generalprobe' (dress rehearsal) are 'eine Generalprobe abhalten' (to hold a dress rehearsal), 'machen' (to do/have), or 'haben' (to have). You also say that the dress rehearsal 'stattfindet' (takes place) or 'läuft' (is running/is underway).
Das Orchester hält morgen die Generalprobe für das große Konzert ab.
The orchestra is holding the dress rehearsal for the big concert tomorrow.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that the context has nothing to do with art or the stage. It often involves sports, politics, or business, where a final test takes place before an important event.
Das Freundschaftsspiel war die letzte Generalprobe vor der Weltmeisterschaft.
The friendly match was the final dress rehearsal before the World Cup.
test
'der Test' and 'die Generalprobe' can both mean that you check whether everything works before an important moment. 'Test' is general and can be small or large: you check knowledge, technology, a product, or a process. 'Generalprobe' is more specific. Literally, it is the final complete rehearsal before a performance, for example in the theater or at a concert. Figuratively, 'Generalprobe' is also used for the last test run before an important event. When it is about one final complete preparation, 'Generalprobe' fits better than just 'Test'.
Heute Abend ist die Generalprobe für das Schulfest.
Tonight is the dress rehearsal for the school festival.
Das Team hat vor der Präsentation einen Test der neuen Software gemacht.
Before the presentation, the team tested the new software.