German · Everyday Verbs
"to try" in German: versuchen
versuchen
Note: to try out: probieren
To try in German is versuchen. Say Ich versuche es for an attempt. For tasting food, probieren is more common, but versuchen still works for effort.
Homework
Ich versuche die Aufgabe noch einmal.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce versuchen
Say it
fer-ZOO-khen
/fɛɐ̯ˈzuːxn̩/
fer-ZOO-khen. Soft v as f. Stress on Zu.
"to try" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| versuchen | to try / attempt Effort or attempt. | Effort or attempt. |
| ich versuche / du versuchst | I try / you try Present forms. | Present forms. |
| es versuchen | to give it a try Common short phrase. | Common short phrase. |
| probieren | to try (taste / test) Food or products; different verb. | Food or products; different verb. |
How to use versuchen in real life
- 1Homework
Ich versuche die Aufgabe noch einmal.
I'm trying the exercise one more time.
Ich versuche.
- 2Encouraging a friend
Versuchst du es einfach mal?
Will you just try it?
Versuchst du.
- 3App login
Er versucht sich seit zehn Minuten einzuloggen.
He's been trying to log in for ten minutes.
Er versucht.
Mistakes English speakers make with versuchen
Incorrect: Ich versuche Pizza. (for tasting)
Correct: Ich probiere Pizza. / Ich versuche, Pizza zu machen.
For tasting food, prefer probiere. Versuchen is for attempts.
Incorrect: Ich mache einen Versuch Pizza.
Correct: Ich versuche Pizza zu essen. / Ich probiere Pizza.
The noun Versuch does not count as the verb versuchen.
Good to know
Versuch's mal is everyday encouragement. In shops, Probieren Sie ruhig is the polite tasting offer; versuchen sounds more like effort than flavor.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Learning a new bike route
ChatPal
Versuchst du die kurze Route heute?
Are you trying the short route today?
You
Ja, ich versuche sie ohne Navi.
Yes, I'm trying it without GPS.
ChatPal
Mutig. Wenn du dich verläufst, ruf an.
Brave. If you get lost, call.
You
Klar. Ich versuche es bis zur Brücke.
Sure. I'll try it as far as the bridge.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to try" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to try" in German
How do you conjugate versuchen?
Ich versuche, du versuchst, er/sie versucht, wir versuchen.
Versuchen vs probieren?
Versuchen is attempt; probieren is often taste or test.
Try it?
Versuch's / Versuch es.
Does der Versuch count?
No. Use a verb form like versuche.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
