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"Intentar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to try", and "tentar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to tempt". Learn more about the difference between "intentar" and "tentar" below.
intentar(
een
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tehn
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to try
Cualquiera puede intentar hacer su propio jardín en casa.Anybody can try to make their own home garden.
b. to attempt
No intentes cambiar el foco sin una escalera.Don't attempt to change the lightbulb without a ladder.
tentar(
tehn
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to entice)
a. to tempt
El salario me tienta mucho, pero no me apetece nada irme a vivir a otra ciudad.I'm very tempted by the salary, but I don't feel at all like moving to another city.
a. to feel
Tenté el bolsillo para tomar mi celular, pero no estaba allí.I felt my pocket for my cell phone, but it wasn't there.
tentarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (colloquial) (to fall into temptation) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to give in to temptation
Al pasar por McDonald's, me tenté y me compré una hamburguesa.When walking past McDonald's, I gave in to temptation and bought a hamburger.
5. (colloquial) (to laugh uncontrollably) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to die laughing (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Cuando Nacho apareció con ese corte de pelo, todos nos tentamos.We all died laughing when Nacho showed up with that haircut.
b. to burst into laughter (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hace caras graciosas para que me tiente.He's making funny faces to make me burst into laughter.
