reading sample / read-through
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reading sample
A short excerpt or a chapter from a book that publishers or authors provide free of charge in order to spark the interest of potential buyers.
Auf der Webseite des Verlags kann man sich eine kostenlose Leseprobe des neuen Romans herunterladen.
On the publisher's website, you can download a free reading sample of the new novel.
The word is made up of the stem of the verb 'lesen' (to read) and the noun 'die Probe' (sample/rehearsal). A 'Probe' can mean both a sample/example and a rehearsal/trial run, which explains the two meanings of the word.
Ich habe mir eine Probe des Parfums geben lassen.
I had them give me a sample of the perfume.
You can recognize the meaning from context. In connection with 'Buch' (book), 'Verlag' (publisher), or 'Autor' (author), it means a text excerpt. In the context of 'Theater' (theater), 'Film' (film), 'Drehbuch' (script), or 'Schauspieler' (actor), it means a joint rehearsal.
Die Leseprobe des neuen Krimis hat mich neugierig gemacht.
The reading sample of the new crime novel made me curious.
When it is about a book excerpt, typical combinations are 'eine kostenlose Leseprobe' (a free reading sample), 'eine Leseprobe herunterladen' (to download a reading sample), or 'eine Leseprobe anbieten' (to offer a reading sample).
Viele Online-Buchhandlungen bieten eine kostenlose Leseprobe an.
Many online bookstores offer a free reading sample.
rehearsal / sample / test
'die Probe' and 'die Leseprobe' both have to do with trying something out or checking something. 'Probe' is the general word: it can be a rehearsal before a performance, a small amount of material, or a test. 'Leseprobe' is more specific. It is either a short text from a book that you can read as a sample, or a special rehearsal where a text is read aloud together. Learners may confuse the words because 'Leseprobe' contains the word 'Probe'. If it is not explicitly about reading, 'Probe' is usually the better fit.
Vor dem Kauf des Romans habe ich zuerst die Leseprobe auf der Webseite gelesen.
Before buying the novel, I first read the reading sample on the website.
Heute Abend hat der Chor eine wichtige Probe für das Konzert.
This evening, the choir has an important rehearsal for the concert.