Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to try" in Spanish: intentar
intentar
Note: to try food: probar
To try in Spanish is intentar for attempts. Say yo intento and intento explicar. Probar means try food or try on clothes.
Language practice
Intento hablar más despacio hoy.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce intentar
Say it
een-ten-TAHR / een-TEN-toh
/in.ten.ˈtaɾ/
een-ten-TAHR. Yo intento is een-TEN-toh. Stress falls on TAHR in intentar.
"to try" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| intentar | to try / to attempt Effort toward a goal. | Effort toward a goal. |
| yo intento | I try Present first person. | Present first person. |
| intentar + infinitive | to try to… Intento hablar. | Intento hablar. |
| probar | to try (food) / try on Taste or clothing. | Taste or clothing. |
| ustedes intentan | you all try Latin American plural you. | Latin American plural you. |
How to use intentar in real life
- 1Language practice
Intento hablar más despacio hoy.
I try to speak more slowly today.
Intento from intentar.
- 2Tech help
¿Puedes intentar otra vez, por favor?
Can you try again, please?
Intentar after poder.
- 3Encouragement
Vamos a intentar un plan B.
Let's try a plan B.
Intentar after ir a.
Mistakes English speakers make with intentar
Incorrect: Yo intentar abrir la puerta.
Correct: Yo intento abrir la puerta.
Conjugate intentar: yo intento.
Incorrect: Intento el taco primero.
Correct: Pruebo el taco primero.
Food uses probar, not intentar.
Good to know
Intentar is for effort: intento llamar. For tasting food, Latin America says probar. Intentar + infinitive mirrors English try to.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Fixing a stuck door
ChatPal
¿Intentas abrirla otra vez?
Are you trying to open it again?
You
Sí, intento, pero no cede.
Yes, I'm trying, but it won't give.
ChatPal
Espera. Yo intento con la otra llave.
Wait. I'll try with the other key.
You
Buena idea.
Good idea.
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 Spanish
How do I say I try?
Yo intento…
Intentar vs probar?
Intentar = attempt; probar = try food or try on.
Try again?
Intenta otra vez. / Intentar otra vez.
How do you pronounce intentar?
een-ten-TAHR, stress on TAHR.
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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