tentar
/tẽˈta(ʁ)/
The Portuguese verb tentar means to try or to attempt.
tentar is used to express the act of making an effort or attempting an action.
Which one should you use?
While tentar means to attempt an action, it is often used in the sense of 'trying out' a possibility, whereas experimentar is more specifically used for 'trying' a product or a sensation (like food).
How does it change in a sentence?
When tentar is followed by another verb, the second verb is typically used in the infinitive form. Conjugations of the verb include: Eu tento (I try), Tu tentas (You try), Ele/Ela tenta (He/She tries), Nós tentamos (We try), Vós tentais (You all try) and Eles/Elas tentam (They try).
How do you pronounce it?
/tẽˈta(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- Because tentar is often used for 'attempts', using it with a person, such as 'tentar alguém', can actually mean 'to seduce' or 'to tempt' them in a sexual or provocative way.
- The Portuguese verb tentar shares its Latin root temptāre with the English word 'tempt', meaning to attract or entice someone to do something.
- When someone says Tentei, mas não consegui, they are using a very common cultural pattern of admitting failure. It emphasizes the effort tentar over the result, which is a common way to soften a disappointment in social interactions.
Examples in context
- Vou tentar chegar a tempo.I'll try to arrive on time.
- Vou tentar a sorte nas loterias hoje.I'm going to try my luck with the lotteries today.
- Eu vou tentar fazer isso.I am going to try to do that.
- Eu vou tentar fazer isso amanhã.I am going to try to do that tomorrow.
- Você precisa tentar novamente.You need to try again.
- Não vou tentar falar com ele agora.I am not going to try to talk to him now.
Example conversation
Lucas is trying to learn a new song on the guitar.
- JulianaVocê quer tentar essa música nova?Do you want to try this new song?
- LucasSim, eu vou tentar agora.Yes, I'm going to try now.
- JulianaBoa sorte com o seu treino, Lucas.Good luck with your practice, Lucas.
- LucasObrigado, Juliana!Thanks, Juliana!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tentar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tentar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
