Spanish Trying Structures Explained with “Tratar de” and “Intentar”

Introduction

When learning Spanish, expressing your attempts, efforts, and intentions is crucial for natural communication. Two of the most common structures used to convey these meanings are tratar de and intentar. Both of these verb phrases translate to trying, attempting, or intending in English, but they have subtle differences in usage, frequency, and context. Understanding when and how to use each structure will significantly improve your fluency and help you sound more like a native Spanish speaker. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the nuances of both tratar de and intentar, complete with practical examples and cultural insights.

Understanding Spanish Trying Structures

In Spanish, expressing the concept of trying or attempting can be done through various structures, but tratar de and intentar are by far the most commonly used. While English speakers often use the single word trying for most situations, Spanish speakers have refined their language to provide more precision and nuance. These structures are essential for expressing your goals, efforts, and intentions in everyday conversation, whether you are talking about learning a new skill, completing a task, or achieving a personal goal.

The key to mastering these structures is understanding their grammatical patterns and recognizing the subtle differences between them. Both tratar de and intentar are followed by an infinitive verb, which means you will always see them paired with the base form of another verb. This pattern is consistent and reliable, making these structures relatively straightforward to use once you understand the basics.

The Structure of Tratar De

Tratar de is a phrasal verb that literally translates to treat or deal with, but when followed by an infinitive, it means to try or to attempt. The structure is always: tratar de + infinitive verb. This structure emphasizes the effort or the attempt itself, suggesting that the action may or may not be completed successfully.

For example: Voy a tratar de terminar el proyecto hoy. (I am going to try to finish the project today.) In this sentence, there is an implication that completing the project might be challenging, and success is not guaranteed.

The verb tratar must be conjugated according to the subject and tense you are using. Here is how tratar de looks when conjugated in the present indicative tense:

Yo trato de aprender español. (I try to learn Spanish.)
Tú tratas de estudiar todos los días. (You try to study every day.)
Él trata de mejorar su pronunciación. (He tries to improve his pronunciation.)
Nosotros tratamos de practicar regularmente. (We try to practice regularly.)
Vosotros tratáis de ser puntuales. (You all try to be punctual.)
Ellos tratan de completar sus tareas. (They try to complete their tasks.)

Notice that the second verb in the phrase always remains in the infinitive form, regardless of the subject or tense. This is a fundamental rule of Spanish grammar.

The Structure of Intentar

Intentar is a regular verb that means to try, attempt, or intend. Unlike tratar de, which is a phrasal construction, intentar is a single verb that can be used independently or followed by an infinitive. The structure is: intentar + infinitive verb.

Intentar often carries a slightly different connotation than tratar de. While tratar de emphasizes the effort or the act of attempting, intentar often emphasizes the intention or the plan behind the action. However, in practical usage, the differences are often minimal, and many Spanish speakers use them interchangeably.

Here is how intentar is conjugated in the present indicative tense:

Yo intento hablar con claridad. (I try to speak clearly.)
Tú intentas resolver el problema. (You try to solve the problem.)
Ella intenta aprender a cocinar. (She tries to learn to cook.)
Nosotros intentamos llegar a tiempo. (We try to arrive on time.)
Vosotros intentáis mejorar vuestras notas. (You all try to improve your grades.)
Ustedes intentan hacer una diferencia. (You try to make a difference.)

Like tratar de, the second verb always stays in the infinitive form regardless of conjugation.

Key Differences Between Tratar De and Intentar

Although tratar de and intentar are often used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences worth noting. Understanding these distinctions can help you choose the most appropriate structure for your specific context.

Frequency in everyday speech is one notable difference. Intentar is slightly more common in casual conversation, while tratar de is more formal and appears more frequently in written Spanish. However, both are perfectly acceptable in any context.

Another distinction involves the nuance of effort versus intention. Tratar de tends to emphasize the effort or struggle involved in attempting something, suggesting that success may be uncertain or difficult. Intentar emphasizes the plan or intention behind the action, though it can also imply effort.

Consider these examples: Estoy tratando de perder peso. (I am trying to lose weight.) This sentence suggests an ongoing struggle or effort. Now compare it with: Intento perder peso. (I intend to lose weight.) This version emphasizes the intention or plan, though it can also mean trying.

However, it is important to note that these distinctions are subtle and that many native Spanish speakers do not consciously differentiate between the two in everyday speech. Using either structure in most situations will be correct and understood perfectly by native speakers.

Using Tratar De in Different Tenses

Tratar de can be used in any tense, and the infinitive verb that follows always remains unchanged. Let us look at some examples in different tenses to illustrate this concept.

In the preterite tense, which is used for completed actions in the past: Traté de llamarte ayer, pero no respondiste. (I tried to call you yesterday, but you did not answer.)

In the imperfect tense, which describes habitual or ongoing past actions: Cuando era niño, trataba de ayudar a mis padres con las tareas del hogar. (When I was a child, I used to try to help my parents with household chores.)

In the future tense: Trataré de ser más puntual en el futuro. (I will try to be more punctual in the future.)

In the conditional tense: Trataría de ayudarte, pero estoy muy ocupado. (I would try to help you, but I am very busy.)

In the present perfect tense: He tratado de entender este concepto todo el día. (I have tried to understand this concept all day.)

Using Intentar in Different Tenses

Just like tratar de, intentar can be conjugated in any tense while keeping the infinitive verb unchanged. Here are examples showing intentar in various tenses.

In the preterite tense: Intenté hacer una tortilla española, pero se quemó. (I tried to make a Spanish omelet, but it burned.)

In the imperfect tense: Intentaba aprender a tocar la guitarra cuando era adolescente. (I tried to learn to play the guitar when I was a teenager.)

In the future tense: Intentaré terminar este libro antes del fin de semana. (I will try to finish this book before the weekend.)

In the conditional tense: Intentaría viajar a España si tuviera dinero. (I would try to travel to Spain if I had money.)

In the present perfect tense: He intentado resolver este ejercicio varias veces. (I have tried to solve this exercise several times.)

Practical Examples in Real Contexts

To solidify your understanding, let us examine how tratar de and intentar are used in realistic everyday situations. These examples will help you recognize these structures in authentic Spanish and use them confidently in your own communication.

In a workplace context: Mi jefe intenta motivar al equipo con reuniones diarias. (My boss tries to motivate the team with daily meetings.) Here, intentar emphasizes the boss’s plan or approach.

In a personal development context: Estoy tratando de desarrollar mejores hábitos de estudio. (I am trying to develop better study habits.) The use of tratar de here emphasizes the effort involved in making this change.

In a social situation: Intentamos quedar con nuestros amigos el próximo sábado. (We are trying to meet up with our friends next Saturday.) Here, intentar expresses an intention or plan.

In an academic context: Los estudiantes tratan de comprender los conceptos más difíciles del curso. (The students try to understand the most difficult concepts of the course.) This emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When learning to use tratar de and intentar, several common mistakes frequently occur. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you avoid them and progress more quickly in your Spanish learning journey.

One frequent error is using the wrong verb form after tratar de or intentar. Remember that the following verb must always be in the infinitive form. For example, you should say Intento estudiar Spanish every day, not Intento estudio español todos los días.

Another mistake is forgetting to conjugate the main verb according to the subject and tense. For instance, saying Yo intentas instead of Yo intento. Always ensure that the verb tratar or intentar matches the subject and the desired tense.

Some learners also confuse tratar de with other uses of the verb tratar, such as tratar a alguien (to treat a person) or tratar un tema (to discuss a topic). These are different meanings and should not be confused with the trying structure.

Additionally, overgeneralizing the differences between tratar de and intentar can lead to confusion. Remember that in most contexts, these structures are interchangeable and either one will be understood correctly by native speakers.

Regional Variations and Usage Notes

While tratar de and intentar are used throughout the Spanish-speaking world, there are some regional variations worth noting. In Spain, both structures are equally common, though intentar might be slightly preferred in informal speech. In Latin America, both are also widely used, with usage varying by country and individual preference.

In some formal or literary contexts, Spanish writers might use tratar de more frequently to emphasize the effort or difficulty involved. In conversational Spanish, intentar tends to be slightly more common, though this is not a hard rule.

It is also worth noting that in very formal Spanish, you might occasionally encounter other structures for expressing trying or attempting, such as procurar or esforzarse por. However, these are less common and tratar de and intentar will serve you well in nearly all situations.

Conclusion

Mastering tratar de and intentar is essential for expressing your efforts, intentions, and attempts in Spanish. While these structures are remarkably similar and largely interchangeable, understanding their subtle differences can help you communicate with greater precision and nuance. Remember that both structures require the use of an infinitive verb that always remains unchanged, and the main verb must be conjugated according to the subject and tense. With consistent practice and attention to the examples provided in this guide, you will soon find yourself using these structures naturally and confidently in your Spanish conversations.