intentarlo
een-tehn-TAHR-loh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
No tengo experiencia, pero voy a intentarlo.
A1I don't have experience, but I am going to try it.
Por favor, ¡solo tienes que intentarlo!
A1Please, you just have to try it!
Si el pastel se quema, al menos lo habrás intentado.
B1If the cake burns, at least you will have attempted it.
💡 Grammar Points
The Meaning of '-lo'
The 'lo' stuck on the end of 'intentarlo' is a small word (a pronoun) that stands in for the object of the verb—the thing you are trying to do. It almost always translates to 'it'.
Attaching the Pronoun
In Spanish, when a verb is in its base form (the infinitive, ending in -ar, -er, -ir) or in the -ndo form (the gerund), these small pronoun words (like 'lo', 'la', 'me', 'te') must be glued directly to the end of the verb.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Separating the Pronoun
Mistake: "Usar 'Yo voy a intentar lo' o 'Yo voy a lo intentar'."
Correction: The pronoun must be attached to the infinitive: 'Yo voy a intentarlo.' This forms a single unit when the verb isn't fully conjugated.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Use Intentarlo
Use 'intentarlo' when the specific task you are attempting (e.g., climbing a mountain, solving a puzzle) has already been mentioned in the conversation.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: intentarlo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the attached pronoun 'lo'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'intentarlo' the only way to say 'to try it'?
No. Because Spanish pronouns can move, you can also say 'Lo voy a intentar' or 'Voy a intentarlo.' The meaning is exactly the same, but attaching 'lo' to the infinitive is very common and sounds natural.
If I am trying something feminine, like a difficult route (la ruta), what should I say?
You would replace 'lo' with 'la' and say 'intentarla.' The attached pronoun must match the gender of the thing you are trying.