Spanish Verbs for 'To Try'

"To try" is one of those English verbs that will steer you down the wrong path if you try to translate it with just one Spanish verb. This lesson looks at the most common ways of expressing the idea of "trying" and related phrases such as "to try to" or "to try out."

When "try" means "attempt," it can usually be translated as tratar de or intentar followed by an infinitive. The two are roughly synonymous, although tratar de is more common. Note that intentar is a false friend to the English verb "to intend" — intentar involves an actual attempt, not a mere intent as the English verb does.

• Tratamos de hacer lo mejor para conseguir el objetivo. We are trying to do what is best in order to reach the objective.
• Trataron de resucitar al cantante durante más de una hora en el hospital. They tried to resuscitate the singer for more than an hour in the hospital.
• Trataremos de resolver sus problemas. We will try to resolve your problems.
• Intentamos resolver las dudas que puedan surgir. We are trying to resolve the doubts that may arise.
• Me intentaron hacer un fraude. They tried to commit a fraud against me.
• Intento comprender la verdad. I am trying to understand the truth.

When "to try" means "to test," as the phrase "to try out" often does, you can often used the verb probar:

• Probamos algo nuevo. We're trying something new.
• Los estudiantes probaron comidas de los diferentes países. The students tried meals of different countries.
• Los terroristas probaban gases venenosos experimentando con perros. The terrorists tried out poisonous gases by experimenting with dogs.
• Me probé la camisa y vi que estaba hecha exactamente a mi medida. I tried on the shirt and saw that it made exactly to my size.
• Pues, pruébalo y verás. Here, try it out and you'll see.
• Voy a probar un nuevo truco de magia. I'm going to try a new magic trick.
• Probé suerte de nuevo y abrí mi propio negocio. I tried my luck again and opened my own business.

To "try" in the sense of "put forth an effort" can often be translated as esforzarse:

• Sé que puedes esforzarte más. I know you can try harder.
• Me esfuerzo con toda intensidad por ser sincero. I'm trying as hard as I can to be honest.

"To try" in the sense of "to put on trial" can be expressed by procesar or juzgar:

• El juez procesó ayer a ocho personas por el robo de armas de guerra. The judge yesterday tried eight people for the theft of military weapons.
• Juzgaron a los activistas de Greenpeace en España. The Greenpeace activists were tried in Spain.