intentaste
een-tehn-TAH-steh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
¿Intentaste abrir la caja fuerte con ese código?
A2Did you try to open the safe with that code?
Sé que intentaste hacer lo correcto, aunque no funcionó.
B1I know you tried to do the right thing, even though it didn't work.
Intentaste contactarme varias veces anoche.
B1You tried to contact me several times last night.
💡 Grammar Points
Identifying the Speaker
The ending '-aste' is the key. It immediately tells you that the action happened to 'tú' (you, informal singular) and that the action is finished (Preterite tense).
Completed Past Action
You use 'intentaste' when referring to a specific, completed attempt in the past, like 'you tried once' or 'you tried yesterday.' This is different from ongoing past actions.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Using 'intentabas' when you mean 'intentaste.'"
Correction: Use 'intentaste' for a single, clear attempt ('You tried to call me at 5 PM'). Use 'intentabas' for an attempt that was ongoing or repeated over time ('You were trying all morning').
⭐ Usage Tips
Linking to the Next Action
When you use 'intentar,' the next verb almost always stays in its base form (infinitive): 'Intentaste correr' (You tried to run).
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: intentaste
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'intentaste'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'intentaste' and 'intentabas'?
'Intentaste' (Preterite) is used for an effort that you completed at a specific time ('You tried once and failed'). 'Intentabas' (Imperfect) is used for an effort that was ongoing or repeated in the past ('You were trying all day').
Do I need to use the pronoun 'tú' with 'intentaste'?
No. Because the '-aste' ending clearly indicates 'tú,' the pronoun is usually left out unless you need to emphasize who did the action.