intentar
/intenˈtaɾ/
The English phrase "try to" is translated into Spanish as intentar.
Intentar is used when you mean to make an effort or an attempt to do something.
Which one should you use?
Use intentar when you mean to make an effort or attempt to do something, whereas probar is used for "trying" a food or testing a product. You may also use tratar de as a very common synonym for intentar, as they can be used interchangeably in most contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb intentar is followed directly by an infinitive without needing the preposition a or de.
How do you pronounce it?
/intenˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb intentar shares its DNA with the English word 'tend', stemming from the Latin 'tendere' which means 'to stretch'.
- If you want to say 'try' in the sense of 'try your luck', Spanish speakers don't use intentar but rather probar suerte.
- In legal Spanish, intentar can be used to describe the 'attempt' of a crime, known as tentativa, which is a specific legal category.
Examples in context
- Dime que no lo intentarás.Tell me you won't try to do that.Tatoeba #10755197 by Seael, translation #10755191 by CK
- Intentaré seguir tu consejo.I'll try to follow your advice.Tatoeba #1776917 by Shishir, translation #1471017 by CM
- Yo quería intentar continuar.I wanted to try to continue.Tatoeba #7031084 by Schuager, translation #5745070 by CM
- Intento estudiar más cada día.I try to study more every day.
- Quiero intentar resolver el problema lo antes posible.I want to try to solve the problem as soon as possible.
- Estoy tratando de aprender a tocar el piano.I'm trying to learn how to play the piano.
- María está tratando de convencer a su jefe de que le den un aumento.María is trying to convince her boss to give her a raise.
- Procura llegar temprano a la reunión.Try to arrive early to the meeting.
- Siempre procuro ser amable con los demás.I always try to be kind to others.
- Estoy tratando de terminar mi tarea antes de salir.I'm trying to finish my homework before going out.
- Miguel está tratando de convencer a su hermano de ir a la fiesta.Miguel is trying to convince his brother to go to the party.
- Vamos a intentar hacer una llamada de video.Let's try to make a video call.
- 69 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about a new hobby at home.
- DanielDebes intentar aprender a cocinar.You should try to learn how to cook.
- ElenaVoy a intentar seguir tu consejo.I am going to try to follow your advice.
- DanielEs más fácil de lo que parece.It is easier than it looks.
- ElenaLo intentaré este fin de semana.I will try to do it this weekend.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry intentar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intentar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
