intentando
“intentando” means “trying” in Spanish (describing an action in progress).
📝 In Action
Estoy intentando aprender español.
A2I'm trying to learn Spanish.
Sigue intentando, ¡casi lo tienes!
B1Keep trying, you've almost got it!
Llevo horas intentando arreglar la computadora.
B1I've been trying to fix the computer for hours.
Pasé toda la tarde intentando contactarlo.
B2I spent the whole afternoon trying to contact him.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: intentando
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly says 'She is trying to open the door'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'intentar', which itself is from the Latin word 'intentāre', meaning 'to stretch out, aim at, or attempt'. The '-ando' ending is the standard Spanish suffix for the gerund form of '-ar' verbs.
First recorded: The Latin root is ancient, but the '-ando' form developed in early Spanish as it evolved from Latin.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'intentando' and 'tratando'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable, as both come from verbs meaning 'to try'. 'Intentar' can sometimes imply a more focused effort or a single attempt, while 'tratar de' is a very common, general way to say 'to try to'. In most everyday situations, you can use either one.
Can I use 'intentando' by itself?
Rarely. It almost always needs a helper verb like 'estar' (estoy intentando), 'seguir' (sigo intentando), or 'llevar' (llevo intentando). By itself, it can sometimes be used in photo captions or very short, punchy statements, like 'Intentando relajarme.' (Trying to relax.), but this is less common in full sentences.