quiero intentar
/kjeɾo intentaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'I want to try' is expressed as quiero intentar.
A phrase used to express the desire to make an attempt at doing something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quiero (I want) and intentar (to attempt/to try).
Which one should you use?
While 'intentar' means to make an attempt at a task, probar is used when you want to try food, a product or a physical experience.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb querer (to want) is conjugated in the first person singular quiero to mean 'I want'. To say 'I want to try it', you attach the object pronoun lo to the end of the infinitive intentar. Additionally, Me gustaría probarlo is used when referring to trying something masculine in the singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo intentaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb querer in quiero intentar can also mean 'to love' when referring to people. While it means 'to want' here, the same word describes a deep affection in other contexts.
- In some Latin American countries, probar is used not just for food, but to mean 'to test' the quality of a product or 'to try on' clothes, which are separate verbs in English.
- The verb intentar shares its ancient roots with the English word 'tend', related to the way one 'stretches' or 'strains' toward an objective.
Examples in context
- Quiero intentar otra cosa.I want to try something else.Tatoeba #3084183 by marcelostockle, translation #2573248 by Hybrid
- Quiero intentarlo.I want to try.Tatoeba #2107074 by Shishir, translation #2011281 by CK
- Quiero intentar ayudarte.I want to try to help you.Tatoeba #2087325 by hayastan, translation #2012470 by CK
- Me gustaría probar la comida local.I would like to try the local food.
- Quisiera intentar hacer surf.I would like to try surfing.
- Desearía darle una oportunidad a ese libro.I would like to give that book a chance.
- Quiero probar ese nuevo restaurante.I want to try that new restaurant.
- Estoy interesado en probar el nuevo videojuego.I'm interested in trying the new video game.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are at a music store.
- MaríaQuiero intentar tocar la guitarra.I want to try playing the guitar.
- AlejandroEs un instrumento muy difícil, María.It is a very difficult instrument, María.
- MaríaNo importa, quiero intentarlo.It doesn't matter, I want to try it.
- AlejandroEstá bien, yo te ayudo.Alright, I will help you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intentar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
