Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to try" in Portuguese: tentar
tentar
Note: to try out: experimentar, provar
To try in Portuguese is tentar. Say Eu tento de novo and Ontem tentei ligar. Experimentar and provar mean try food or try out — they don’t count unless tentar is also there.
App password
Eu tento entrar de novo com outra senha.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce tentar
Say it
ten-TAHR
/tẽ.ˈtaʁ/
ten-TAHR
"to try" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| tentar | to try Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu tento | I try Present. | Present. |
| tentei | I tried Past. | Past. |
| vamos tentar | let’s try Plans. | Plans. |
| experimentar / provar | to try out / taste Related; not the headword alone. | Related; not the headword alone. |
How to use tentar in real life
- 1App password
Eu tento entrar de novo com outra senha.
I’ll try logging in again with another password.
Present for a near attempt.
- 2Missed call
Tentei te ligar três vezes ontem à tarde.
I tried to call you three times yesterday afternoon.
Tentei + infinitive.
- 3Group decision
Vamos tentar o caminho pela praia, tá?
Let’s try the path along the beach, okay?
Inclusive plan.
Mistakes English speakers make with tentar
Incorrect: Eu tentar de novo.
Correct: Eu tento de novo. / Vou tentar de novo.
Conjugate: eu tento, or use vou tentar.
Incorrect: Tentei o bolo (only experimentar meant).
Correct: Vou experimentar o bolo. / Quero tentar fazer o bolo.
Food “try” is often experimentar/provar; keep tentar when you mean attempt.
Good to know
Tentar is the go-to for attempts: try calling, try a route, try again. For tasting food, Brazilians lean on experimentar or provar. Soften with Tenta aí when handing someone a task.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Fixing a stuck Wi-Fi
ChatPal
Você tenta reiniciar o roteador?
Will you try restarting the router?
You
Já tentei duas vezes e nada.
I already tried twice and nothing.
ChatPal
Então a gente tenta outro cabo.
Then we’ll try another cable.
You
Beleza — eu tento agora.
Okay — I’ll try now.
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 Portuguese
I try?
Eu tento.
I tried?
Eu tentei.
Try the cake?
Experimenta o bolo / Prova o bolo — not tentar alone.
Let’s try?
Vamos tentar.
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
