Meaning and behavior
What does intentar mean?
Intentar means to try, to attempt; especially: to strain or put forth effort in so doing. VerbyGo classifies it as a regular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- intentar
- Gerund
- intentando
- Past participle
- intentado
Regular -AR pattern
How this verb behaves
Intentar follows the regular -ar pattern in the four tenses shown here.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of intentar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Intentar |
|---|---|
| yo | intento |
| tú | intentas |
| él / ella / usted | intenta |
| nosotros / nosotras | intentamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | intentáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | intentan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of intentar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Intentar |
|---|---|
| yo | intenté |
| tú | intentaste |
| él / ella / usted | intentó |
| nosotros / nosotras | intentamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | intentasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | intentaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of intentar, or for background information.
| Subject | Intentar |
|---|---|
| yo | intentaba |
| tú | intentabas |
| él / ella / usted | intentaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | intentábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | intentabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | intentaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of intentar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Intentar |
|---|---|
| yo | intentaré |
| tú | intentarás |
| él / ella / usted | intentará |
| nosotros / nosotras | intentaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | intentaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | intentarán |
Verified context
Examples with intentar
¿Por qué no lo intentas?
Why don't you try it?
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRLo intentó con un amigo.
He tried it with a friend.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRPor favor, inténtalo de nuevo.
Please try again.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Intentar FAQ
What does intentar mean?
Intentar means to try, to attempt; especially: to strain or put forth effort in so doing.
Is intentar regular or irregular?
Intentar is a regular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of intentar?
The gerund of intentar is intentando.
What is the past participle of intentar?
The past participle of intentar is intentado.
How is intentar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is intento, intentas, intenta, intentamos, intentan.
How is intentar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is intenté, intentaste, intentó, intentamos, intentaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.