How to Say To Try in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
As of 2026, understanding the phrase "to try" is crucial for English speakers learning Spanish. In this article, we explore various ways to say "to try" in different contexts, including its use in different tenses and common idiomatic expressions.
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How to Use 'To Try' in Different Tenses
The verb intentar (IPA: /in.tenˈtaɾ/) is the most commonly used form of "to try" in Spanish. It can be conjugated into various tenses:
- Present tense: Yo intento, tú intentas, él/ella intenta, nosotros/nosotras intentamos, vosotros/vosotras intentáis, ellos/ellas intentan.
- Future tense: Yo intentaré, tú intentarás, él/ella intentará, nosotros/nosotras intentaremos, vosotros/vosotras intentaréis, ellos/ellas intentarán.
The phrase tratar de (IPA: /tɾaˈtaɾ de/), on the other hand, is used to express an attempt or effort towards a particular goal. Here are some examples:
- Past tense: Ayer traté de terminar el proyecto.
- Conditional: Trataría de ayudarte si pudiera.
Common Idiomatic Expressions with 'Try'
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The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →In addition to the basic translations, there are several idiomatic expressions that use "try" in Spanish. For instance:
- Probar suerte (IPA: /ˈpro.baɾ ˈsu.eɾte/): To try one's luck.
- Ensayar a ver qué pasa (IPA: /en.saˈʝaɾ a βe ke ˈpas.a/): To try and see what happens.
Pronunciation Tips for 'To Try' in Spanish
To ensure you pronounce "to try" correctly, here are some tips:
- Intentar: Emphasize the stress on the second syllable: /in.tenˈtaɾ/.
- Tratar de: The pronunciation of this phrase is relatively straightforward with a slight emphasis on "de": /tɾaˈtaɾ de/.
We also recommend listening to audio samples for better understanding and practice.
How to Express 'To Try' in Spanish: Context-Specific Examples
To help you understand how "to try" is used in different contexts, here are some context-specific examples:
- Intentar: Quiero intentar aprender a tocar la guitarra. (I want to try to learn how to play the guitar.).
- Tratar de: Voy a tratar de terminar el proyecto antes del viernes. (I'm going to try to finish the project before Friday.).
- Probar: Quiero probar esa nueva receta de pastel. (I want to try that new cake recipe.).
- Ensayar: Los músicos necesitan ensayar mucho antes del concierto. (Musicians need to try out a lot before the concert.).
- Experimentar: Quiero experimentar nuevas técnicas de pintura. (I want to try out new painting techniques.).
How to Express Attempt in Spanish: Sample Sentences
To further illustrate the use of "to try" in various contexts, here are some sample sentences:
- Past tense: Ayer traté de terminar el proyecto. (Yesterday I tried to finish the project.).
- Conditional: Trataría de ayudarte si pudiera. (I would try to help you if I could.).
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