Estoy Tratando

Question

I am doing VERY SLOWLY Pimsleur's spanish and I understand how to conjucative a few verbs in the present tense.

So why is estoy tratando - I am trying and esta tratando - you are trying ?

Firstly one would not normally use the estoy, eata and the ending of the verb would change.

What am I missing ?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi roger, have a look at our reference section and learn, you will find all useful info here. the problem you are mentioning is the conjugation of the verb to be in Spanish, each person is different.

Answer 2

...conjugate a few verbs...

These verbs are not in the present tense, indicative mood. They are in the present progressive form. It emphasizes that you are currently performing the verb's actions at this moment in time.

Present indicative
(Yo) trato= I try or I am trying
(Ud.) trata=you try or you are trying

Present progressive
(Yo) estoy tratando=I am trying
(Vd.) está tratando=you are trying

I don't understand your question. To conjugate a verb is merely to list the forms that the verb takes with different subjects (I, you , he, she ,it, we, they) in different times (tiempo) present, past, future, etc. and in differnt moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative, etc.)

Answer 3

Quentin:

I also have a small problem -- I use the verb "intendar" for "to try". But I sometimes see the verb "tratar" used in a similar context.

What am I not understanding?

Quentin said:

...conjugate a few verbs...These verbs are not in the present tense, indicative mood. They are in the present progressive form. It emphasizes that you are currently performing the verb's actions at this moment in time.Present indicative(Yo) trato= I try or I am trying(Ud.) trata=you try or you are tryingPresent progressive(Yo) estoy tratando=I am trying(Vd.) está tratando=you are tryingI don't understand your question. To conjugate a verb is merely to list the forms that the verb takes with different subjects (I, you , he, she ,it, we, they) in different times (tiempo) present, past, future, etc. and in differnt moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative, etc.)

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Answer 4

Daniel said:

I also have a small problem -- I use the verb "intendar" for "to try". But I sometimes see the verb "tratar" used in a similar context.

The verb is "intentar", with T, and it is not very different from "tratar".

When "to try" means "to attemp (to do sth)", you can use either verb, but "tratar is always followed by "de", and it must be followed by a verb.

Answer 5

If you visit this forum with any regularity you will see the supplication for context to be provided on most posts asking for translations. That is because a word in Spanish or English can only be translated if you know the context that the word is being used in.

Let's just deal with English for a moment. If I told you to define the word "let" what would you say'. You would list several synonyms. It means to rent, to allow, to cause to, as a command (Let him be), etc.
So if I were to ask you what "let" meant in Spanish what would you say? You would have to know the context or which synonym that I wanted to translate. Permitir, Dejar, Alquilar, etc.

So, let's do your verb "to try"
here's what our dictionary defines it as:
http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/try
Notice all the dirrerent synonymns according to different contexts to try=probar (or to try out or sample)
intentar=to attempt I don't even see the context of to try (legally)=procesar
So to define to try one must know the context that the verb will be used in or simply list all possible uses (as the dictionary attempts). Since that's impractical we ask for context before selecting the proper synonym to translate the word.
To get back to your specific question when selecting the synonym to translate there are usually some that are very close in meaning but carry a slightly different nuance acording to the context. That's the case with intentar and tratar. Intentar carry the nuance of intend in English (you tried to do something with a specific goal in mind). Tratar doesn't necessarily carry the connotation of intent. (or to attempt, but fail)
Then again there are synonyms that we call interchangeable, because they carry similar nuances in almost all contexts.

Answer 6

What ?

I have noticed that I don't understand the English explanations on this site never mind the Spanish.

What is the difference between

Present indicative - I am trying.

and

Present progressive - I am trying.

First of all I have to see what the difference here is in English.

Daniel said:

Quentin:I also have a small problem -- I use the verb "intendar" for "to try". But I sometimes see the verb "tratar" used in a similar context.What am I not understanding?

Quentin said:

...conjugate a few verbs...These verbs are not in the present tense, indicative mood. They are in the present progressive form. It emphasizes that you are currently performing the verb's actions at this moment in time.Present indicative(Yo) trato= I try or I am trying(Ud.) trata=you try or you are tryingPresent progressive(Yo) estoy tratando=I am trying(Vd.) está tratando=you are tryingI don't understand your question. To conjugate a verb is merely to list the forms that the verb takes with different subjects (I, you , he, she ,it, we, they) in different times (tiempo) present, past, future, etc. and in differnt moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative, etc.)

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Answer 7

RogerHH, you cannot match up English tenses with Spanish tenses the way you seem to be trying to do. If you're thinking that way, that's the first problem.

Intento (Quentin's "present indicative") can be translated as I try or I am trying.
Estoy intentando (Quentin's "present progressive") would normally be translated as I am trying [right now].

You must have context to get a good translation.

Answer 8

Roger, the thing is that tenses are used differently in Spanish and English. For example, if you were sitting at a table writing something, I might enter the room and say "What are you doing'" in English. We ALWAYS use the present progressive in English in such situations. In Spanish, however, I might use the simple present tense, "¿Qué haces'," which, as Natasha has mentioned, is translated into the present progressive in English, but is the present tense in Spanish. I could also ask you "¿Qué estás haciendo'," but the nuance would be different. I won't go into all the details, but at your level just keep in mind that the tenses won't always match up neatly.

Challenges such as this are what make learning a foreign language so much fun!

Answer 9

I sort of understand that thanks. But they give no indication in Pimsleur as to why are are suddenly doing something differently.

It's all too hard.

Natasha said:

RogerHH, you cannot match up English tenses with Spanish tenses the way you seem to be trying to do. If you're thinking that way, that's the first problem.Intento (Quentin's "present indicative") can be translated as I try or I am trying.Estoy intentando (Quentin's "present progressive") would normally be translated as I am trying [right now].You must have context to get a good translation.

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Answer 10

Simple Present Tense vs. Present Progressive
Simple Present:
The simple present tense is used to present events or situations that are habitual or always present or true. Some groups of verbs are only used in the simple present, not the progressive; they describe mental states or conditions that exist rather than actions that are in progress.

I did not know that I knew so little English.

Answer 11

RogerHH said:

:

I sort of understand that thanks. But they give no indication in Pimsleur as to why are are suddenly doing something differently.

It's all too hard.

Sorry, I have no knowledge of the Pimsleur course. This forum is a good place to ask questions, though. Be patient with yourself. No one said learning a foreign language is easy, but it is definitely rewarding.

Answer 12

So why do we not generally use the present progressive when speaking in Spanish ? or do we / they ?

RogerHH said:

I sort of understand that thanks. But they give no indication in Pimsleur as to why are are suddenly doing something differently.It's all too hard.

Natasha said:

RogerHH, you cannot match up English tenses with Spanish tenses the way you seem to be trying to do. If you're thinking that way, that's the first problem.Intento (Quentin's "present indicative") can be translated as I try or I am trying.Estoy intentando (Quentin's "present progressive") would normally be translated as I am trying [right now].You must have context to get a good translation.

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Answer 13

So why do we not generally use the present progressive when speaking in Spanish ? or do we / they '

The present progressive is indeed used in Spanish, although not as frequently as in English. Asking why is often a futile exercise, which I think is the case here. We sometimes just need to accept that things are different in another language. But again, that's what makes it fun. If Spanish were nothing more than a substitution of words for English words, it would be boring. What it really is is a different way of thinking about situations, so learning to speak it well will stretch your mind.

That's always a good thing.

Answer 14

Look at this discussion for some examples, especially those given by látigo.

[url=http://my.spanishdict.com/forum/topic/show'id=1710195%3ATopic%3A586703&page=1&commentId=1710195%3AComment%3A588722&x=1#1710195Comment588722]http://my.spanishdict.com/forum/topic/show'id=1710195%3ATopic%3A586...[/url]

As far as "why", why do we often use the present progressive in English, and not the simple present? The usual response on this forum to "why" questions is along the lines of "just because" or "historical accident."

Answer 15

Please do not miss the reference section on this site. The grammar is very clearly stated.