intenta
“intenta” means “he/she/it tries” in Spanish (Third person singular, present tense statement).
he/she/it tries, you try, Try! / Attempt!
Also: he/she/it attempts
📝 In Action
Mi hermano siempre intenta ser positivo.
A2My brother always tries to be positive.
¿Usted intenta contactar a la oficina principal?
B1Are you (formal) trying to contact the main office?
Si no funciona, intenta de nuevo mañana.
A2If it doesn't work, try again tomorrow.
¡Intenta esto! Está delicioso.
A1Try this! It's delicious.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: intenta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'intenta' as a direct command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *intendere*, which meant 'to stretch out' or 'to direct one's attention toward,' evolving into the idea of focusing one's effort on a goal.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'intenta' interchangeable with 'prueba'?
Yes, often they are. Both mean 'try.' 'Intenta' (from intentar) focuses slightly more on the effort or attempt, while 'prueba' (from probar) often refers to testing something (like food or equipment) or giving something a simple test run.
How do I say 'Don't try' using the informal command?
You must use the negative imperative form: '¡No intentes!' This requires the special verb form ('intentes') instead of 'intenta'.