What does tentar mean?
tentar means to tempt in English. It is a irregular -ar verb.
It can also be used with these related meanings: to touch.
Spanish verb guide
Tentar Conjugation in Spanish
Learn tentar, meaning to tempt, through verified forms and contextual examples.
irregular-argerund: tentandoparticiple: tentado
Principal forms of tentar
- Infinitive
- tentar
- Gerund
- tentando
- Past participle
- tentado
Tentar conjugation table
Compare the present, preterite, imperfect, and future forms. Reflexive pronouns are included where the verb requires them.
| Pronoun | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | tiento | tenté | tentaba | tentaré |
| tú | tientas | tentaste | tentabas | tentarás |
| él / ella / usted | tienta | tentó | tentaba | tentará |
| nosotros/as | tentamos | tentamos | tentábamos | tentaremos |
| ellos/as / ustedes | tientan | tentaron | tentaban | tentarán |
Pattern notes
- Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the present.
Examples with tentar
No tientes a la suerte.Don't tempt fate.Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
La 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
Practice prompts
- Conjugate tentar for yo in the present.
- Use the preterite form for ella.
- Say the nosotros/as imperfect form.
- Write a short sentence in the future.
Practice tentar online
Use VerbyGo for a quick conjugation round with instant feedback and accent checking.