Probar vs Intentar: and other ways to say try

Question

Hi,

I'm having difficulty understand the uses of probar and intentar. How would you something like, "i try to eat healthy" or "I try to go to the gym as often as I can." Also, are there other verbs that mean, "to try"?

Don't forget to include 'tratar de + infinitive' - Jeremias, Jan 9, 2012

Answer 1

try

=

intentar

verb

try [tra?] sustantivo 1. intento (m) (attempt)

* to give something a try -> intentar algo
* to have a try at doing something -> probar a hacer algo
* it's worth a try -> merece la pena intentarlo 

1. ensayo (m) (in rugby) verbo transitivo

2. probar (sample)

   • I'll try anything once -> estoy dispuesto a probar todo una vez

3. intentar (attempt)

   • to try to do something, ->
   • to try and do something (familiar) -> tratar de or intentar hacer algo
   • have you tried the chemist's? -> ¿has probado en la farmacia?

4. ver (Law) (case); juzgar (person)

5. poner a prueba (test) (person, patience) verbo intransitivo

6. intentarlo

   • he didn't really try -> no lo intentó de veras
   • you must try harder -> debes esforzarte más
   • just you try! -> ¡inténtalo y verás!

Copyright © 2006 Chambers Harrap Publishers Limited

try [trai] participio pasivo 1. TRIED) 1. 2. Experimentar, probar y examinar prácticamente las virtudes o propiedades de una cosa. 3. Tentar, probar, tantear. 4. Tentar, intentar, poner los medios para lograr algo. 5. Procesar; juzgar o examinar algún pleito o causa criminal; formar causa a uno. 6. Procurar, emprender, intentar (try). 7. Decidir o terminar una diferencia. 8. Purificar, refinar por medio de la calefacción; afinar los metales. 9. Imponer una carga a, fatigar ( sustantivo & verbo & verbo neutro (intransitivo) 10. g. (Marina) verbo neutro (intransitivo) 11. Esforzarse, ensayar, procurar, hacer lo posible. (n) 12. Capear. (Marina) (n)

* We shall try it out -> veremos en qué para
* Try for -> tratar de conseguir
* Try on -> probarse, medirse

sustantivo 13. Prueba, ensayo, intento (attempt), esfuerzo.

* It’s worth a try -> vale la pena intentarlo

Examinar, ensayar, probar, hacer prueba, intentar (attempt). la vista).

Hi echolin1 Could you explain to me how one gets posts set out in lists as you have done, i try and try but to no avail. - ray76, Nov 22, 2010

I was as shocked as you were, Ray. I copied and pasted this from the SD dictionary! - Echoline, Nov 22, 2010

Answer 2

Which of the many verbs meaning "to try "is the appropriate one to use when talking about food ! like try a food or a recipe?

That would be probar.

Thanks! - faliron, Jan 9, 2012

Answer 3

tratar de hacer algo means to try to do something

Answer 4

Which of the many verbs meaning "to try "is the appropriate one to use when talking about food ! like try a food or a recipe?