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A colorful storybook illustration showing two small, determined characters, like cartoon animals, straining together to push a large, brightly colored boulder up a small hill, symbolizing the act of trying hard.

intentaron

een-ten-TAH-ron

VerbA2regular ar
they tried?past completed action,they attempted?formal attempt
Also:you (plural, formal) tried?using 'ustedes'

Quick Reference

infinitiveintentar
past Participleintentado
gerundintentando

📝 In Action

Intentaron subir la montaña antes de que anocheciera.

A2

They tried to climb the mountain before it got dark.

Los doctores intentaron varias terapias nuevas sin éxito.

B1

The doctors attempted several new therapies without success.

Ustedes intentaron convencerlo, pero él ya había tomado su decisión.

B2

You (all) tried to convince him, but he had already made up his mind.

Word Connections

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • intentaron escapar – they tried to escape
  • intentaron comunicarse – they tried to communicate

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Intentar' with Actions

When 'intentar' is followed by another verb, you simply use the infinitive (the base form) of the second verb: 'Intentaron salir' (They tried to leave). You do not need 'de' like you sometimes see with 'tratar de'.

Preterite Tense (Completed Action)

'Intentaron' tells you that the attempt started and finished at a specific point in the past. It was a completed action, regardless of whether they succeeded or failed.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Past Tenses

Mistake: "Usando 'intentaban' when you mean 'intentaron'."

Correction: 'Intentaban' (imperfect) means 'they were trying' or 'they used to try' (ongoing action). 'Intentaron' (preterite) means 'they tried' (a single, finished attempt).

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Plural

Remember that 'intentaron' can refer to 'ellos' (they) or 'ustedes' (you plural, formal). If you are speaking to a group formally, this is the correct past tense form.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

yointentara
él/ella/ustedintentara
nosotrosintentáramos
vosotrosintentarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesintentaran
túintentaras

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

yointento
él/ella/ustedintenta
nosotrosintentamos
vosotrosintentáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesintentan
túintentas
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: intentaron

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'intentaron'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

intentar(to try, to attempt) - verb
intento(attempt, try (noun)) - noun
intención(intention, purpose) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'intentaron' used more often for physical actions or mental efforts?

'Intentaron' (and the verb 'intentar') is used equally for both. You can 'intentar correr' (a physical action) or 'intentar recordar' (a mental effort). It covers any kind of effort directed toward a goal.

Can I use 'intentaron' to mean 'they tasted'?

No. While 'to try' in English can mean 'to taste food,' in Spanish, you must use the verb 'probar' (e.g., 'Probaron la sopa'). 'Intentaron' strictly means 'they attempted'.