Inklingo
← Dictionary
A high quality storybook illustration depicting two small, determined figures working together. They are pulling hard on a rope attached to a large, colorful block, visibly exerting maximum effort to move it.

intentan

een-TEN-tahn

VerbA2regular ar
they try?making an effort,they attempt?formal effort
Also:you (plural, formal) try?referring to 'ustedes'

Quick Reference

infinitiveintentar
gerundintentando
past Participleintentado

📝 In Action

Los estudiantes intentan terminar el proyecto antes de la fecha límite.

A2

The students are trying to finish the project before the deadline.

Ellos intentan comunicarse en español, aunque es difícil.

A2

They attempt to communicate in Spanish, even though it is difficult.

Ustedes intentan arreglar la computadora, pero no sé si podrán.

B1

You all (formal) are trying to fix the computer, but I don't know if you can.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tratar de (to try (to do something))
  • probar (to try (out, test))

Antonyms

  • rendirse (to give up)

Common Collocations

  • intentan escapar – they try to escape
  • intentan convencer – they try to convince

💡 Grammar Points

Present Tense Action

'Intentan' describes actions happening right now, or actions that happen habitually. For example, 'Every day, they try to run' (Cada día, intentan correr).

Simple Structure

When 'intentan' is followed by another action, you simply use the base form of the next verb (the infinitive). You do not need any connecting words like 'a' or 'de'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Adding 'a' unnecessarily

Mistake: "Ellos intentan a estudiar."

Correction: Ellos intentan estudiar. (The verb 'intentar' doesn't need the little word 'a' before the next action.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

'Intentan' can mean 'they try' (ellos/ellas) or 'you all try' (ustedes, the formal plural). The specific meaning is usually clear from who you are talking to.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedintenta
yointento
túintentas
ellos/ellas/ustedesintentan
nosotrosintentamos
vosotrosintentáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedintentaba
yointentaba
túintentabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesintentaban
nosotrosintentábamos
vosotrosintentabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedintentó
yointenté
túintentaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesintentaron
nosotrosintentamos
vosotrosintentasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedintente
yointente
túintentes
ellos/ellas/ustedesintenten
nosotrosintentemos
vosotrosintentéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedintentara
yointentara
túintentaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesintentaran
nosotrosintentáramos
vosotrosintentarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: intentan

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses the verb 'intentan'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'intentar' the same as 'tratar de'?

Yes, they mean almost exactly the same thing ('to try'). 'Intentar' is often slightly more formal or emphasizes a serious effort, but you can use them interchangeably in most daily conversations.