intentar

The Spanish verb intentar is a cornerstone of daily communication, serving as the primary way to express the concept of making an effort to achieve a goal. At its core, it translates to "to try" or "to attempt" in English. Unlike some other Spanish verbs that can be ambiguous, intentar specifically focuses on the volitional act of putting forth energy toward a specific outcome, regardless of whether that outcome is eventually realized. It is an essential tool for beginners (A1-A2) because it allows you to talk about your goals, your struggles, and your daily activities before you have mastered the specific verbs for those actions. For instance, if you do not know the verb for 'to climb,' you can say you are 'trying to go up.'

Core Concept

The act of directing one's will and physical or mental resources toward a specific objective that is not yet guaranteed.

In social contexts, intentar is used to show humility or to manage expectations. When someone asks if you can complete a difficult task, responding with "Lo intentaré" (I will try it) signals a commitment to effort without the absolute promise of success that "Lo haré" (I will do it) implies. This nuance is vital in Spanish-speaking cultures where social harmony and managing 'face' are important. It is also the verb of choice in sports, academic settings, and personal development. When a commentator says a player is "intentando un tiro," they are describing the physical motion and the intent behind it. In a classroom, a teacher might encourage a student by saying, "Lo importante es intentarlo," emphasizing that the process of trying is more valuable than the immediate result.

Furthermore, intentar is linguistically distinct from its cousins like probar. While an English speaker might use "try" for both "trying a new food" and "trying to run a marathon," Spanish makes a sharp distinction. You would never use intentar for food; that is the domain of probar. Intentar is reserved for actions, usually followed by an infinitive verb. This structural requirement makes it a very predictable and easy-to-use verb once you understand the pattern. You simply conjugate intentar and drop the next verb in its base form right after it. This simplicity is why it is taught early in the Spanish learning curriculum.

Common Context: Sports

Used when a player attempts a goal, a pass, or a specific maneuver that requires skill and effort.

The emotional weight of intentar can also vary. In a romantic or serious context, "He intentado olvidarte" (I have tried to forget you) carries a heavy sense of struggle and failed effort. In a more casual setting, "Intento llegar a tiempo" (I try to arrive on time) is a simple statement of habit. Understanding these registers is key to moving from a basic level to a more nuanced understanding of Spanish. It is a verb that bridges the gap between thought and action, representing the bridge of effort that connects our desires to our achievements.

Finally, it is worth noting that intentar is a regular -ar verb. This makes it one of the easiest verbs to conjugate in all tenses, from the present indicative to the complex subjunctive forms. This regularity, combined with its high frequency of use, makes it a high-value word for any learner. Whether you are writing a formal essay or chatting with a friend at a café, intentar will likely appear in your conversation as you describe the various efforts that make up your daily life and future aspirations.

Grammatical Pattern

[Conjugated form of Intentar] + [Infinitive Verb]. Example: Intento (I try) + estudiar (to study).

Using intentar correctly requires understanding its syntactic relationship with other words. The most common structure is intentar + infinitive. This is where many English speakers trip up because they want to translate "try to" literally by adding a preposition like 'a' or 'de'. In Spanish, intentar connects directly to the following action. For example, "I try to eat healthy" is simply "Intento comer sano." There is no need for any connecting word. This directness makes the verb powerful and efficient in speech. When you use it with a noun, it usually implies an attempt at a specific feat, such as "intentar un récord" (to attempt a record).

The Infinitive Rule

Always follow 'intentar' with an infinitive (unconjugated verb) when describing an action you are trying to perform.

In the past tense, intentar takes on different shades of meaning depending on whether you use the preterite or the imperfect. Using the preterite, "Intenté llamarte," often implies a specific, completed attempt that failed. It suggests a one-time effort: "I tried to call you (but I didn't get through)." On the other hand, the imperfect "Intentaba llamarte" suggests a continuous or repeated effort: "I was trying to call you (perhaps over a period of time or while something else was happening)." Mastering these temporal nuances allows you to tell more complex stories about your efforts and failures.

When dealing with pronouns, intentar follows standard Spanish rules. If you are trying to do something to an object, the object pronoun can either go before the conjugated verb or be attached to the end of the infinitive. For example, "I am going to try it" can be "Lo voy a intentar" or "Voy a intentarlo." Both are perfectly correct and used frequently. However, attaching the pronoun to the end of the infinitive often feels slightly more natural in casual conversation. This flexibility is a great feature of the Spanish language that you can use to vary your sentence structure and sound more like a native speaker.

Reflexive Use?

'Intentar' is not typically used reflexively. You do not 'intentarse' something. The effort is directed outward at an action.

In the future and conditional tenses, intentar is used to make promises or express hypothetical efforts. "Intentaría ayudarte si tuviera tiempo" (I would try to help you if I had time) is a classic conditional structure. In the future, "Lo intentaremos mañana" (We will try it tomorrow) shows a collective commitment. Because it is a regular verb, you don't have to worry about stem changes or irregular endings in these tenses, which allows you to focus more on the logic of your sentence rather than the mechanics of conjugation.

One advanced way to use intentar is in the passive voice or with the impersonal 'se', although this is less common than the active voice. You might see "Se intentó una reforma" (A reform was attempted) in a news report. This shifts the focus from who did the trying to the attempt itself. For most learners, however, focusing on the active voice—who is trying to do what—will cover 99% of your needs. The key is to keep the structure simple: Subject + Conjugated Intentar + Infinitive + Complement.

Question Forms

To ask a question, simply invert the order or use rising intonation: "¿Vas a intentar cocinar?" or "¿Intentamos abrir la puerta?"

You will hear intentar everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world, from the bustling streets of Mexico City to the quiet cafes of Madrid. It is a high-frequency verb because human life is essentially a series of attempts. In a professional environment, you will hear it during meetings when discussing strategies: "Vamos a intentar reducir los costos este trimestre" (We are going to try to reduce costs this quarter). It sounds professional and proactive. It is also common in technical support or customer service: "Voy a intentar reiniciar el sistema" (I am going to try to restart the system). In these contexts, it conveys a sense of problem-solving and action.

In the Kitchen

While you 'probar' (taste) the food, you 'intentar' (try) a difficult recipe. "Voy a intentar hacer esta tarta de manzana."

In popular media, intentar is a staple of song lyrics and movie dialogue. Romantic ballads often feature singers lamenting their attempts to move on or to win someone's heart. "Intento olvidarte pero no puedo" is a classic line that resonates with many. In action movies, you'll hear characters shouting, "¡Intenta abrir la puerta!" (Try to open the door!) during high-stakes scenes. Because the word is so versatile, it fits perfectly into both high-drama and low-key situations. It is also frequently used in self-help and motivational content, where the focus is on the power of trying: "Lo único imposible es aquello que no intentas" (The only impossible thing is that which you do not try).

On the sports field, intentar is the bread and butter of commentary. Whether it is football (soccer), basketball, or tennis, commentators use it to describe every attempted move. "Messi intenta el regate..." (Messi tries the dribble...) or "Nadal intenta el saque directo..." (Nadal tries the ace...). In these cases, the word adds a layer of anticipation, as the audience waits to see if the attempt will be successful. This usage highlights the word's connection to physical effort and skill. If you watch Spanish-language sports, you will hear this verb dozens of times in a single match.

Daily Errands

When running errands, you might say, "Voy a intentar pasar por el banco antes de que cierre."

In educational settings, teachers use intentar to encourage students. It is part of a growth mindset. "Intenta resolver el problema tú solo primero" (Try to solve the problem by yourself first). This encourages independence and effort. In peer-to-peer interactions, friends use it to offer support or advice: "Deberías intentar hablar con ella, seguro que te entiende." Here, it functions as a gentle suggestion. The word is ubiquitous because it touches on the very human experience of striving for something, making it one of the most relatable and frequently heard verbs in the language.

Finally, you'll encounter intentar in literature and formal writing. It is used to describe the motivations of characters or the objectives of historical figures. "El explorador intentó cruzar el desierto sin agua" (The explorer tried to cross the desert without water). In this more formal register, the word maintains its core meaning but often takes on a more epic or significant tone. No matter where you are or what you are doing in a Spanish-speaking environment, intentar is a word that will help you understand the intentions and efforts of those around you.

Legal and Formal

In formal documents, you might see "intentar una acción legal," meaning to initiate a lawsuit.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with intentar is the "Preposition Trap." In English, we say "try TO do something." Naturally, learners want to translate that "to" into Spanish using a or de. They might say "Intento de hablar" or "Intento a hablar." However, intentar is a transitive verb that takes the infinitive directly. The correct form is simply "Intento hablar." This is a hard habit to break, but once you do, your Spanish will sound significantly more natural. Remember: intentar likes to be close to its infinitive without any words in between.

The 'De' Confusion

Learners often confuse 'intentar' with 'tratar de'. While 'tratar' REQUIRES 'de', 'intentar' MUST NOT have it. Never mix the two rules.

Another major pitfall is the confusion between intentar and probar. In English, the word "try" is a jack-of-all-trades. We try a new restaurant, we try on a shirt, and we try to learn Spanish. In Spanish, these are three different verbs. Intentar is only for the effort of doing an action. If you are tasting food or testing a product, you must use probar. If you are trying on clothes, you use probarse. Saying "Voy a intentar la sopa" sounds like you are going to make a heroic effort to engage with the soup, perhaps in a battle, rather than just tasting it. This distinction is crucial for clear communication.

A third common mistake involves the use of pretender. This is a classic "false friend." In English, "to pretend" means to make believe or feign. In Spanish, pretender actually means "to intend" or "to aim for," which is very close to intentar. However, pretender often carries a sense of expectation or a more formal aim. Beginners often use pretender when they mean "to pretend" (which should be fingir) or use intentar when they should use pretender in a formal context. Sticking to intentar for "try" is usually the safest bet for learners until they reach a B2 or C1 level of nuance.

False Friend Alert

Don't use 'intentar' to mean 'to intend' in the sense of 'planning to'. For that, use 'tener la intención de' or 'pensar + infinitive'.

Finally, some learners struggle with the placement of direct object pronouns with intentar. While "Lo intento" (I try it) is correct, when followed by an infinitive, you have two choices: "Lo intento hacer" or "Intento hacerlo." A common mistake is to put the pronoun in the middle: "Intento lo hacer." This is grammatically incorrect in Spanish. The pronoun must either precede the conjugated verb or be attached to the end of the infinitive. Keeping this rule in mind will help you avoid awkward phrasing and ensure your sentences flow smoothly, just like a native speaker's would.

In summary, the most important things to avoid are adding unnecessary prepositions, confusing it with tasting or testing (probar), and misplacing pronouns. By focusing on the simple intentar + infinitive structure, you can avoid the majority of errors associated with this verb. It is a powerful word that, when used correctly, demonstrates a solid grasp of Spanish grammar and vocabulary. Practice using it in various tenses and with different infinitives to build your confidence and fluency.

Summary of Errors

1. Adding 'de'. 2. Using it for food/clothes. 3. Misplacing pronouns. 4. Confusing with 'pretender'.

While intentar is the most common way to say "to try," Spanish offers a rich palette of alternatives that can add precision and variety to your speech. The most frequent alternative is tratar de. In many contexts, intentar and tratar de are interchangeable. However, tratar de can sometimes feel slightly more informal or focused on the process of trying, whereas intentar focuses on the intent. Another common synonym is procurar. This verb is more formal and often implies making sure something happens or taking care to do something. For example, "Procura llegar temprano" (Make sure to arrive early) is more than just a try; it is a request for diligence.

Intentar vs. Tratar de

'Intentar' is direct and takes an infinitive. 'Tratar' MUST be followed by 'de' before the infinitive. They are 90% interchangeable.

For situations involving significant effort or struggle, esforzarse is a great alternative. It literally means "to exert oneself" or "to make an effort." While you can intentar something casually, esforzarse implies that you are working hard at it. "Me esfuerzo por aprender español" (I strive/work hard to learn Spanish) sounds much more dedicated than "Intento aprender español." If you are talking about testing something out, as we discussed, probar is the word. Use it for food, software, or a new car. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that best fits the intensity and nature of the action you are describing.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter pretender or aspirar a. As mentioned before, pretender means to aim for or intend. It is often used when there is a specific goal or claim involved. Aspirar a is even more elevated, meaning "to aspire to." You wouldn't aspirar a open a jar, but you would aspirar a a promotion or a better life. Using these words correctly shows a high level of linguistic sophistication. On the other end of the spectrum, darle una oportunidad (to give it a try/chance) is a common idiomatic way to express trying something new in a casual way.

Probar vs. Intentar

Use 'probar' for tasting, testing, or trying on clothes. Use 'intentar' for attempting an action or task.

Another interesting verb is tentar. While it looks like intentar, it actually means "to tempt" or "to touch/feel." It is a false friend to be aware of. You might "tentar a la suerte" (tempt fate), but you wouldn't use it to mean "try to do homework." Finally, ensayar is used specifically for trying out or practicing for a performance, like a play or a concert (to rehearse). If you are "trying out" for a team, you might use hacer una prueba. The richness of Spanish synonyms for "try" allows you to be very specific about the type of attempt you are making.

By learning these alternatives, you move beyond basic communication and start to express yourself with the nuance of a native speaker. Each word carries its own flavor and social weight. Start by mastering intentar and tratar de, then gradually incorporate esforzarse, procurar, and probar into your vocabulary. This variety will make your Spanish sound more dynamic and precise, allowing you to describe the many ways we "try" to navigate the world every day.

Quick Comparison

Intentar (General try), Tratar de (General try), Esforzarse (Work hard), Procurar (Make sure), Probar (Taste/Test).