Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| intentar | /intenˈtaɾ/ |
| tratar de | /tɾataɾ de/ (from spelling rules) |
| ver de | /beɾ de/ (from spelling rules) |
| hacer todo lo posible | /aθeɾ todo lo posible/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ todo lo posible/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| hacer su mejor esfuerzo | /aθeɾ su mexoɾ esfweɾθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ su mexoɾ esfweɾso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Intentar is a common way to say 'to try' in Spanish. If you want to express the intention to try something, you can also use the phrase tratar de. For a more idiomatic way to say 'to try one's best' or 'to make every effort', you can use the phrase hacer todo lo posible. You might also use hacer su mejor esfuerzo to mean 'to do one's best'.
Which one should you use?
While intentar and tratar de are often interchangeable, intentar is more direct and is frequently used for a specific attempt at a task. In certain contexts, tratar de can also imply 'trying to be' or 'trying to act'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase hacer todo lo posible is a common idiomatic way to express 'to try one's best' or 'to make every effort' rather than using a literal translation of the verb 'try'.
How do you pronounce it?
/intenˈtaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use tratar without the preposition de when they mean 'to try to'. Note that tratar alone usually means 'to treat' or 'to deal with'.
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects, the word trechar exists as a rare sibling to tratar, specifically referring to the process of cutting and salting eels.
Examples in context
- Tom lo va a intentar.Tom will try.This sentence shows how to use intentar to express a future attempt.Tatoeba #10009158 by swyter, translation #2215738 by CK
- Esta vez lo intentaré.This time I'll try it.This sentence shows how to use intentar to express a personal intention for a specific time.Tatoeba #1331950 by marcelostockle, translation #54806 by CK
- Al menos se intentará.We'll certainly try.This sentence shows how to use intentar in a third-person context.Tatoeba #10009284 by swyter, translation #2241560 by CK
- Intento hablar español con fluidez.I try to speak Spanish fluently.
- Pruebe este nuevo plato, es delicioso.Try this new dish, it's delicious.
- Trata de entenderme, por favor.Try to understand me, please.
- Intenta llamarlo más tarde.Try to call him later.
- Voy a intentar resolver el problema.I am going to try to solve the problem.
- Probé el nuevo restaurante y me gustó mucho.I tried the new restaurant and liked it a lot.
- Vamos a tratar de llegar a tiempo.We are going to try to arrive on time.
- 212 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a difficult puzzle.
- MateoEste puzzle es muy difícil.This puzzle is very difficult.
- MaríaSí, pero debemos intentar terminarlo.Yes, but we must try to finish it.
- MateoEstá bien, yo voy a intentar esta parte.Alright, I am going to try this part.
- María¡Buena suerte, Mateo!Good luck, Mateo!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “try” translations and entries intentar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, hacer, intentar, lo, posible, todo, tratar, ver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
