tentar
/tẽˈta(ʁ)/
To attempt in Portuguese is tentar. If unsure, use tentar. Wiktionary also lists intentar and provar.
Meaning: to try (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| tentar | /tẽˈta(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /tẽˈta(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| intentar | |
| provar | /pɾoˈva(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /pɾoˈva(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
Tentar is the most common and versatile verb used for 'to attempt' or 'to try' in almost all contexts.
Which one should you use?
While tentar is used for general attempts, intentar is a false friend. In Portuguese, intentar is primarily used in legal contexts to mean initiating a lawsuit or prosecution.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When tentar is followed by another verb, the second verb is typically used in the infinitive, such as tentar fazer (to try to do).
How do you pronounce it?
/tẽˈta(ʁ)/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use intentar when you mean to make a general attempt. Use it only when referring to legal actions like suing or prosecuting.
Did you know?
- While tentar means 'to try', it can also mean 'to tempt' in specific contexts, such as when a delicious smell is 'tempting' someone.
- The English word 'tempt' and the Portuguese verb tentar share the same Latin root, *temptāre, which originally meant to test or probe.
- The verb provar can mean 'to try' or 'to attempt', but it is also the standard word used when you 'try on' clothes or 'taste' food.
Examples in context
- O que seria da vida se não tivéssemos a coragem de tentar alguma coisa?What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?This sentence illustrates the use of tentar in a philosophical context about courage.Tatoeba #6727777 by Ricardo14, translation #2405165 by maesro
- Eu tentei fazer isso uma vez e não consegui. Você não está tentando agora. Tente novamente. Seu amigo tentará depois.I tried to do that once and couldn't. You're not trying right now. Try it again. Your friend will attempt it later.This sentence shows different conjugations of tentar including the past, present, imperative and future tenses.Tatoeba #14055219 by carlosalberto, translation #14055249 by carlosalberto
- Dois homens australianos voaram de Sydney na segunda-feira rumo à Antártida para tentarem bater um recorde numa caminhada até ao polo.Two Australian men flew from Sydney Monday on their way to Antarctica for an attempt at a record-breaking pole trek.This sentence demonstrates tentar used in the context of attempting to break a record.Tatoeba #11327588 by Cangarejo, translation #11327587 by Cangarejo
- Eu fiz uma tentativa para resolver o problema.I made an attempt to solve the problem.
- O investigador está focado em encontrar a verdade, usando várias tentativas.The investigator is focused on finding the truth, using various attempts.
- Eu tento resolver o problema.I attempt to solve the problem.
- Ontem, eu tentei falar com o professor, mas ele estava ocupado.Yesterday, I attempted to speak with the teacher, but he was busy.
- Vou tentar chegar a tempo.I'll try to arrive on time.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are discussing a difficult puzzle.
- RodrigoVocê quer tentar resolver este problema?Do you want to try to solve this problem?
- MarianaVou tentar, mas parece muito difícil.I will try, but it seems very difficult.
- RodrigoTentar é o primeiro passo para conseguir.Trying is the first step to succeeding.
- MarianaTudo bem, vou tentar agora!All right, I'll try it now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “attempt” translations and entries tentar, provar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries provar, tentar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
