Bonjour! If you’re looking to express the English word “try” in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways to say “try” in French, provide regional variations if necessary, and share plenty of tips and examples to help you become comfortable using these expressions. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Try” in French
1. Essayer (eh-say-ay) – This is the most common and formal way to say “try” in French. It works in both formal and informal contexts. For example:
Je vais essayer de faire mon travail (I’m going to try to do my work).
2. Tenter (tahn-tay) – This is another formal alternative to express “try” and is often used to convey a sense of attempting or making an effort. For example:
Nous allons tenter de résoudre ce problème difficile (We are going to try to solve this difficult problem).
Informal Ways to Say “Try” in French
1. Essaie (eh-say) – This is the informal way to say “try” in French, commonly used in casual conversations. For example:
Essaie de me rappeler plus tard (Try to call me back later).
2. Essaye (eh-say) – Similar to “essaie,” this is an informal way to say “try” in French, particularly in spoken language. For example:
Essaye d’arriver à l’heure (Try to arrive on time).
Tips for Using the French Expressions for “Try”
1. Conjugation: Remember to conjugate the verb based on the subject pronoun (je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles). Here are a few conjugated examples:
– Je vais essayer (I’m going to try).
– Tu essaies (You try).
– Il/elle/on tente (He/she/one tries).
– Nous essayons (We try).
– Vous essayez (You try).
– Ils/elles essaient (They try).
2. Using “De” + Infinitive: When stating what you are trying to do, pair the verb with “de” and the infinitive form of the intended action. For instance:
– J’essaie de comprendre (I’m trying to understand).
– Nous allons tenter de gagner (We’re going to try to win).
3. Be Patient: Learning new words and expressions takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to feel comfortable using these phrases. Keep trying!
Examples of “Try” in Different Contexts
1. Trying new food:
J’ai essayé des escargots pour la première fois (I tried snails for the first time). C’était délicieux! (It was delicious!)
2. Trying to learn a new skill:
Je vais essayer d’apprendre à jouer du piano (I’m going to try to learn how to play the piano). Je pense que ça va être difficile, mais je vais persévérer! (I think it’s going to be difficult, but I’m going to persevere!)
3. Trying to open up in a conversation:
Essaie de te confier un peu plus, cela nous aidera à mieux te comprendre (Try to open up a little more, it will help us understand you better).
4. Trying to fix something:
Tente de réparer l’ordinateur avant d’en acheter un nouveau (Try to fix the computer before buying a new one).
5. Encouraging others to try:
Essaye, tu n’as rien à perdre (Try, you have nothing to lose).
Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these expressions in different contexts to become more familiar and comfortable with them.
Au revoir et bonne chance! (Goodbye and good luck!)
