Meaning and behavior
What does tentar mean?
Tentar means to tempt. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to touch.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- tentar
- Gerund
- tentando
- Past participle
- tentado
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the present.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of tentar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Tentar |
|---|---|
| yo | tiento |
| tú | tientas |
| él / ella / usted | tienta |
| nosotros / nosotras | tentamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tentáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tientan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of tentar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Tentar |
|---|---|
| yo | tenté |
| tú | tentaste |
| él / ella / usted | tentó |
| nosotros / nosotras | tentamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tentasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tentaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of tentar, or for background information.
| Subject | Tentar |
|---|---|
| yo | tentaba |
| tú | tentabas |
| él / ella / usted | tentaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | tentábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tentabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tentaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of tentar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Tentar |
|---|---|
| yo | tentaré |
| tú | tentarás |
| él / ella / usted | tentará |
| nosotros / nosotras | tentaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tentaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tentarán |
Verified context
Examples with tentar
No tientes a la suerte.
Don't tempt fate.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRLa serpiente tentó a Eva.
The serpent tempted Eve.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR¡No tientes a la suerte!
Don't tempt fate!
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Tentar FAQ
What does tentar mean?
Tentar means to tempt.
Is tentar regular or irregular?
Tentar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of tentar?
The gerund of tentar is tentando.
What is the past participle of tentar?
The past participle of tentar is tentado.
How is tentar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is tiento, tientas, tienta, tentamos, tientan.
How is tentar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is tenté, tentaste, tentó, tentamos, tentaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.