Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to try" in Italian: provare
provare
To try in Italian is provare (proh-VAH-reh). Io provo, tu provi, lui/lei prova. Proviamo questo means let's try this.
Tasting gelato
Vuoi provare il gusto pistacchio?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce provare
Say it
proh-VAH-reh
/proˈva.re/
Provare stresses VAH: proh-VAH-reh. Provo is PROH-voh. Proviamo is proh-VYAH-moh.
"to try" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| provare | to try / to taste / to test Clothes, food, ideas. | Clothes, food, ideas. |
| provo / provi / prova | I try / you try / he-she tries Present singular. | Present singular. |
| proviamo | we try; let's try Suggestion. | Suggestion. |
| provare a + infinitive | to try to… Provo a capire. | Provo a capire. |
How to use provare in real life
- 1Tasting gelato
Vuoi provare il gusto pistacchio?
Do you want to try the pistachio flavor?
Provare as tasting.
- 2Fitting room
Provo questa maglia in camerino.
I'll try this shirt in the fitting room.
Provo conjugation.
- 3New recipe
Stasera proviamo una pasta nuova.
Tonight we're trying a new pasta dish.
Proviamo.
Mistakes English speakers make with provare
Incorrect: Io provare il vino.
Correct: Provo il vino.
Conjugate: io provo.
Incorrect: Provo di aprire la porta.
Correct: Provo a aprire la porta.
Provare a + infinitive, not di.
Good to know
At markets and gelaterie, Italians invite you with vuoi provare? Trying on clothes is also provare—say posso provare? before the camerino. Keep prova as the verb here, not the noun for a test.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a new café
ChatPal
Proviamo il caffè di questo bar?
Shall we try the coffee at this bar?
You
Sì, provo un cappuccino.
Yes, I'll try a cappuccino.
ChatPal
Io provo un cornetto alla crema.
I'll try a cream cornetto.
You
Perfetto, ordiniamo.
Perfect, let's order.
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 Italian
How do I say I'll try?
Provo… or ci provo.
Let's try?
Proviamo.
Try to understand?
Provo a capire.
Clothes?
Posso provare? means can I try it on?
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
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