intento
/in-TEN-toh/
attempt
Intento (Noun): Depicting an 'attempt' or 'try' (the act of trying).
intento(Noun)
attempt
?The act of trying to do something
,try
?Used as a noun, e.g., 'give it a try'
effort
?When referring to the exertion put into a task
📝 In Action
Después de varios intentos, finalmente lo logré.
A2After several attempts, I finally managed it.
Hizo un intento de llamar, pero nadie contestó.
B1He made an attempt to call, but nobody answered.
Vale la pena hacer el intento.
B1It's worth making the attempt / It's worth a try.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Thing, Not an Action
Think of 'intento' as a 'thing' – specifically, 'an attempt'. Because it's a noun, you'll often see it with words like 'un' (a), 'el' (the), or 'varios' (several).
Paired with 'Hacer'
In Spanish, you don't 'give' a try, you 'make' one. The most common partner verb for 'intento' is 'hacer' (to make). For example, 'hacer un intento'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing it with the Verb
Mistake: "Hizo intento de abrir la puerta."
Correction: Hizo un intento de abrir la puerta. (He made an attempt to open the door.) Since 'intento' here is a 'thing' (a noun), it needs an article like 'un' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Success
To say you succeeded on the first try, use the phrase 'al primer intento'. For example: '¡Lo conseguí al primer intento!' (I got it on the first try!).
Intento (Verb: I try): Depicting the action 'I try' (first-person singular present tense of intentar).
intento(Verb)
I try
?Expressing one's own effort
,I attempt
?A slightly more formal way of saying 'I try'
📝 In Action
Intento hablar español todos los días.
A1I try to speak Spanish every day.
No sé si funcionará, pero lo intento.
A2I don't know if it will work, but I'm trying.
Intento no pensar en el problema.
B1I try not to think about the problem.
💡 Grammar Points
How to Use It
This is the 'I' form of the verb 'intentar'. To say you try to do something, just follow 'intento' with the base form of another verb. For example, 'Intento correr' (I try to run).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding Extra Words
Mistake: "Intento a leer el libro."
Correction: Intento leer el libro. Unlike English 'try to', the Spanish verb 'intentar' connects directly to the next verb. No 'a' or 'de' is needed.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Intentar' vs. 'Probar'
Use 'intento' when you're talking about making an effort to do something. Use the verb 'probar' when you're 'trying' something out, like food or clothes. 'Intento cocinar' (I try to cook) vs. 'Pruebo la sopa' (I try the soup).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: intento
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'intento' to mean 'an attempt' (the noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the easiest way to tell if 'intento' is the noun or the verb?
Look for a little word right before it. If you see 'un', 'el', 'mi', or 'su' before 'intento' (like 'un intento'), it's the noun meaning 'an attempt'. If 'intento' is right after 'yo' or just by itself as the action word, it's the verb 'I try'.
Is 'intento' the same as 'trato'?
They are very similar! Both 'intento' (from 'intentar') and 'trato' (from 'tratar de') mean 'I try'. They are often interchangeable. 'Intento' can sometimes sound a little stronger, like you're making a more determined effort, but in daily conversation, you can use either.