Introduction
One of the most common sources of confusion for English-speaking Spanish learners is understanding the difference between intentar and probar. While both verbs can be translated as trying in English, they have distinct meanings and uses in Spanish. Intentar refers to attempting to do something or making an effort to accomplish a goal, whereas probar means to test, taste, or try something for the first time. Learning to distinguish between these two verbs is essential for achieving greater accuracy and fluency in Spanish communication. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to understanding when and how to use each verb correctly.
Understanding Intentar: Attempting an Action
The Basic Meaning of Intentar
The verb intentar is used when you want to express the idea of attempting, trying, or making an effort to do something. When you use intentar, you are describing the action of striving to achieve a specific goal or complete a particular task. The focus is on the effort or attempt itself, regardless of whether the action is ultimately successful or not.
The basic structure for using intentar is straightforward. You combine the conjugated form of intentar with an infinitive verb. For example, you might say Voy a intentar correr un maratón, which means I am going to try to run a marathon. In this sentence, the focus is on your intention and effort to complete this challenging task.
Conjugating Intentar
Intentar is a regular verb that follows the standard patterns of first conjugation (-ar) verbs in Spanish. Here is how it conjugates in the present indicative tense:
Yo intento (I try)
Tú intentas (You try)
Él, ella, usted intenta (He, she, you formal try)
Nosotros intentamos (We try)
Vosotros intentáis (You all try – Spain)
Ellos, ellas, ustedes intentan (They, you all try)
Because intentar is a regular verb, you can apply these same patterns to other tenses like the preterite, imperfect, conditional, and subjunctive forms, making it relatively easy to master conjugation for this verb.
Practical Examples with Intentar
Let’s examine some real-world examples of how intentar is used in sentences. Consider the sentence Intenté aprender a tocar la guitarra hace dos años. This translates to I tried to learn to play the guitar two years ago. Here, the speaker is describing a past attempt to learn something new, without necessarily indicating whether they succeeded.
Another example would be Ella intenta mejorar su español estudiando cada día, which means She tries to improve her Spanish by studying every day. This sentence demonstrates ongoing effort toward a specific goal.
You might also hear Si intentas llamar a tu amigo mañana, probablemente contestará, meaning If you try to call your friend tomorrow, he will probably answer. In this case, intentar is used in a conditional structure to describe a future attempt.
Understanding Probar: Testing or Tasting
The Basic Meaning of Probar
The verb probar has multiple meanings depending on context, which is why it can be confusing for learners. The primary meanings of probar are to test, to taste, or to try something for the first time. Unlike intentar, which focuses on making an effort, probar emphasizes the action of sampling, experimenting, or evaluating something.
When you probar something, you are experiencing it directly, whether that means testing a new product, tasting a food, or trying on clothes. The word carries a sense of direct engagement with the object rather than simply making an effort to complete an action.
Conjugating Probar
Probar is also a regular verb that follows the standard patterns of first conjugation (-ar) verbs. However, it is also a stem-changing verb (o to ue) in certain tenses. Here is how it conjugates in the present indicative tense:
Yo pruebo (I try/test)
Tú pruebas (You try/test)
Él, ella, usted prueba (He, she, you formal try/test)
Nosotros probamos (We try/test)
Vosotros probáis (You all try/test – Spain)
Ellos, ellas, ustedes prueban (They, you all try/test)
Notice that in the present tense, probar undergoes a stem change where the o becomes ue in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. This stem change pattern applies to other tenses as well, such as the present subjunctive.
Practical Examples with Probar
Consider the sentence Quiero probar ese restaurante nuevo en el centro. This means I want to try (test/experience) that new restaurant downtown. The speaker wants to visit and sample the food at this restaurant for the first time.
Another example is Probaste el pastel de chocolate que preparé, ¿verdad?, which translates to You tried (tasted) the chocolate cake that I made, right? Here, probar refers to the act of tasting the dessert.
You might also encounter a sentence like El ingeniero probó el nuevo sistema antes de implementarlo, meaning The engineer tested the new system before implementing it. In this context, probar emphasizes the testing phase of product development.
Key Differences Between Intentar and Probar
Focus and Intent
The fundamental difference between intentar and probar lies in what each verb emphasizes. Intentar focuses on the effort and intention behind an action, whereas probar focuses on the action of sampling, tasting, or testing something directly. When you use intentar, you are expressing your determination or attempt to accomplish something. When you use probar, you are describing the experience of engaging with something firsthand.
Success and Outcome
Another important distinction is how each verb relates to success or failure. With intentar, the outcome is uncertain. You might succeed or fail in your attempt. For example, Intenté terminar el proyecto a tiempo suggests that you made an effort, but it does not indicate whether you actually completed the project on time. With probar, there is generally an implied experience or result. When you say Probé ese plato, you are confirming that you actually tasted it, not just that you tried to taste it.
Contextual Usage
Intentar is best used when discussing efforts, attempts, or endeavors to accomplish goals or complete tasks. Probar is best used when discussing testing, tasting, sampling, or experiencing something. Understanding the context of your sentence will help you choose the correct verb.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Confusing Effort with Experience
A frequent mistake among learners is using probar when intentar would be more appropriate, or vice versa. For example, saying Probé terminar mi tarea is incorrect if you mean you attempted to complete your homework. The correct sentence would be Intenté terminar mi tarea. The verb probar implies you actually experienced something directly, not that you made an effort.
Forgetting Stem Changes
Another common error involves forgetting that probar is a stem-changing verb. Learners sometimes conjugate it as Yo probo instead of Yo pruebo in the present tense. Always remember to apply the o to ue stem change when conjugating probar in the present indicative and present subjunctive tenses.
Using the Wrong Infinitive Structure
Both intentar and probar can be followed by infinitive verbs, but the context matters. Intenté jugar al fútbol means I tried to play soccer (attempted the action), while Probé jugar al fútbol means I tried playing soccer (I experienced or tested the sport), which could imply it was the first time or that you were testing it out. Be precise about your meaning when combining these verbs with infinitives.
When to Use Each Verb in Real Conversations
Using Intentar in Conversations
Use intentar when discussing your goals, aspirations, or efforts. For example, in a conversation about fitness, you might say Intento ir al gimnasio tres veces por semana, meaning I try to go to the gym three times a week. This shows your regular effort and commitment to a goal. Similarly, in an academic context, you might say Los estudiantes intentan mejorar sus calificaciones, meaning The students try to improve their grades. Here, intentar expresses their sustained effort.
Using Probar in Conversations
Use probar when discussing food, drinks, or new experiences. At a restaurant, someone might ask ¿Quieres probar mi postre?, meaning Do you want to try my dessert? In this context, probar suggests tasting something. Similarly, when discussing new technology, you might hear ¿Ya probaste la nueva aplicación?, meaning Have you tried the new application? Here, probar refers to testing or experiencing the app.
Cultural and Regional Considerations
Both intentar and probar are used consistently across Spanish-speaking regions. However, the frequency of use might vary slightly depending on context and region. In Latin America, you might hear probar used more frequently in casual conversations about trying food or new experiences, while in Spain, the usage is similar. The important thing is to understand the core meaning of each verb so you can use it appropriately regardless of where you are speaking Spanish.
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between intentar and probar is an important step in improving your Spanish grammar skills. Intentar means to attempt or try in the sense of making an effort toward a goal, while probar means to test, taste, or try something for the first time. By understanding the distinct meanings, proper conjugations, and appropriate contexts for each verb, you will be able to express yourself more precisely in Spanish. Remember that intentar focuses on effort and intention, whereas probar emphasizes direct experience and sampling. With consistent practice and attention to these distinctions, you will soon find yourself using these verbs naturally and accurately in your Spanish conversations.
