How to say “I’m trying to be less messy” in Spanish

Introduction

Learning how to express personal habits and self-improvement goals is an essential part of everyday Spanish conversation. Whether you’re trying to organize your living space better or just want to communicate your intentions to Spanish speakers, knowing how to say you’re attempting to be less messy is a practical and useful phrase. This article will guide you through various ways to express this common sentiment in Spanish, from straightforward translations to more natural conversational alternatives that native speakers actually use. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to discuss personal organization goals with confidence and cultural awareness.

The Basic Translation: Estoy Intentando Ser Menos Desordenado

The most direct way to say I’m trying to be less messy in Spanish is Estoy intentando ser menos desordenado. Let’s break this down into its component parts to understand how it works and why it’s effective.

The verb estar means to be in a temporary state or condition. When you use estoy, you’re saying I am in the present moment. This is the correct choice for describing an ongoing action or current state of affairs. The infinitive verb intentar means to try or to attempt, and intentando is its gerund form (the -ing form). Together, estoy intentando creates the present progressive tense, which expresses an action that is currently happening or in progress.

The infinitive ser means to be in terms of permanent qualities or characteristics. In this phrase, ser menos desordenado means to be less messy or disorganized. The adjective desordenado literally means disordered or untidy. If you’re speaking as a female or non-binary person, you might adjust this to desordenada for agreement with your gender. The word menos simply means less, which is crucial for expressing the concept of improvement.

So the complete phrase Estoy intentando ser menos desordenado translates to I am trying to be less messy, and it’s appropriate for both formal and casual contexts.

Alternative Expressions Using Different Verbs

While estoy intentando is correct, Spanish offers several other verbs that can convey the same meaning with slightly different nuances. Understanding these alternatives will make your Spanish sound more natural and give you options depending on the situation.

Using Tratar de

Another common way to express trying or attempting is with the phrase tratar de. You might say Estoy tratando de ser menos desordenado. This phrase is very similar in meaning to the previous one, though tratar de is slightly more casual in many Spanish-speaking regions. Some people prefer this version because it sounds more conversational and less formal than intentar. Both are grammatically correct and widely understood, so choose whichever feels more comfortable to you.

Using Procurar

The verb procurar means to try to achieve something or to endeavor. You could say Estoy procurando ser menos desordenado. This option is slightly more formal and perhaps a bit old-fashioned compared to the previous two, but it’s still perfectly correct and understood. In some Latin American countries, procurar is still commonly used, while in others it might sound a bit literary. It’s a great option if you want to sound more sophisticated or if you’re in a formal setting.

Using Esforzarme

The reflexive verb esforzarse means to make an effort or to strive. The phrase would be Me estoy esforzando por ser menos desordenado. Notice that this version uses por instead of just the infinitive. This construction emphasizes the effort and determination behind your goal, making it slightly stronger than simply saying you’re trying. It conveys a sense that you’re really working at it and putting in genuine effort.

Variations in Gender and Agreement

Spanish adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun or pronoun they modify. The word desordenado ends in -o, which is the masculine singular form. However, depending on who is speaking, you may need to adjust this ending.

If you’re a woman or identify as female, the correct form is desordenada. So you would say Estoy intentando ser menos desordenada. If you’re speaking about multiple people, you would use the plural forms: desordenados for all males or mixed gender groups, and desordenadas for all females. However, when speaking about yourself in singular form, focus on whether you’re male or female.

It’s worth noting that in modern Spanish, there’s increasing acceptance of gender-neutral language. Some Spanish speakers use desordenad@ or simply choose to use the masculine form as a neutral option, though this varies by region and individual preference.

More Casual and Colloquial Expressions

If the formal constructions feel too stiff or you’re in a very casual conversation with friends, Spanish offers more relaxed ways to express the same idea.

Ando Tratando

Instead of estoy tratando, you might hear native speakers say Ando tratando de ser menos desordenado. The verb andar in this context is used colloquially to mean to be doing or to be trying. This is extremely common in conversational Spanish and sounds much more natural than the more formal constructions. It’s especially prevalent in Latin America, though you’ll hear it in Spain as well.

Simple Present Tense

In very casual speech, you might even drop the progressive construction entirely and simply say Trato de ser menos desordenado or Intento ser menos desordenado. These simple present tense forms are perfectly acceptable and might actually sound more natural in quick, everyday conversations. Native speakers often use simpler constructions than English learners expect.

Related Vocabulary for Talking About Messiness

To fully master this conversation topic, it’s helpful to know related vocabulary that might come up when discussing messiness and organization.

The noun desorden means mess or disorder, and you might hear Hay mucho desorden en mi cuarto, which means There’s a lot of mess in my room. The adjective limpio means clean, and its opposite sucio means dirty. If someone is untidy or messy as a personal characteristic, you might describe them as desordenado, as we discussed, or use the phrase poco ordenado, which literally means not very organized.

The verb organizar means to organize, and limpiar means to clean. So you might also say Estoy intentando organizar mejor mi espacio, which means I’m trying to organize my space better. The adverb mejor means better, and it’s a useful addition to many of these sentences to convey improvement.

Context Matters: When to Use Each Expression

Different situations call for different levels of formality and intensity in how you express yourself. Understanding these contexts will help you choose the most appropriate phrase.

In a formal setting, such as speaking with a boss, teacher, or someone you’ve just met, Estoy intentando ser menos desordenado or Estoy procurando ser menos desordenado would be most appropriate. These construction sound respectful and thoughtful. In a casual conversation with friends or family, Ando tratando de ser menos desordenado or even just Trato de ser menos desordenado would be perfectly natural and perhaps more authentic.

If you want to emphasize how much effort you’re putting into this goal, Me estoy esforzando por ser menos desordenado is your best choice. This version implies you’re really dedicating yourself to the change. If someone asks you about a recent New Year’s resolution or personal goal, any of these expressions would work well.

Common Responses and Follow-up Conversations

When you tell someone you’re trying to be less messy, they might respond in various ways. Knowing what they might say and how to continue the conversation will help you feel more confident in your Spanish interactions.

A common response might be Que bien, which means That’s good. They might ask Por que, meaning Why, or they might offer encouragement with phrases like Adelante, which means Go ahead or Keep it up. If they want to help, they might ask Como puedo ayudarte, meaning How can I help you. Being prepared for these responses means you can engage in a real conversation rather than just delivering a single sentence.

Conclusion

Expressing the idea that you’re trying to be less messy in Spanish gives you access to a valuable range of phrases and expressions suitable for different contexts and formality levels. Whether you choose the direct Estoy intentando ser menos desordenado, the casual Ando tratando de ser menos desordenado, or one of the other variations we’ve discussed, you now have the tools to communicate this personal goal confidently. Remember to adjust for gender agreement, choose your verb based on the formality of the situation, and don’t hesitate to use simpler constructions in casual conversation. With practice, these phrases will become second nature, and you’ll find yourself naturally expressing intentions about personal improvement in Spanish with ease and authenticity.