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How to Say "tried" in Spanish

English → Spanish
Verb (Past Tense Form)A2General
Use this when referring to a specific past attempt by 'he,' 'she,' or 'it' to do something.

Examples

Él intentó levantar la caja, pero era muy pesada.

He tried to lift the box, but it was very heavy.

trató

VerbA2General
Use this for a past attempt by 'he,' 'she,' or 'you' (formal) to do something, often implying effort.

Examples

Ella trató de llamarte, pero no contestaste.

She tried to call you, but you didn't answer.

intentado

/een-ten-TAH-doh//in.tenˈta.ðo/

Verb (Past Participle)A2General
This is the past participle form, used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses, meaning 'have tried'.
A small, determined cartoon figure standing triumphantly on the peak of a steep, colorful hill, showing the action of having tried and succeeded.

Examples

Nunca he intentado hacer paracaidismo.

I have never tried skydiving.

Ellos habían intentado hablar con el jefe varias veces.

They had attempted to speak with the boss several times.

¿Quién ha intentado robar mi cartera?

Who has tried to steal my wallet?

Forming Perfect Tenses

You always use 'intentado' with a form of the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past: 'Hemos intentado' (We have tried).

probado

pro-BAH-doh/pɾoˈβaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use this when 'tried' means 'tasted' or 'sampled' food or drink.
A simple smiling character tasting a small spoonful of bright red soup from a bowl, illustrating the act of sampling food.

Examples

¿Es un plato que ya has probado antes?

Is it a dish you have tried before?

El vino probado en la cena fue excelente.

The wine tasted at dinner was excellent.

La receta probada por mi abuela es la mejor.

The recipe tried by my grandmother is the best.

Used in Perfect Tenses

This form ('probado') is also the core of tenses that use 'haber' (to have), such as 'He probado' (I have tried) or 'Había probado' (I had tried). It always stays the same when paired with 'haber'.

Confusing 'Probar' and 'Intentar'

Mistake: “He probado abrir la puerta. (Literal: I have tasted/tested to open the door.)”

Correction: He intentado abrir la puerta. (I have tried [attempted] to open the door.) Use 'probar' primarily for food/testing, and 'intentar' for attempts.

juzgado

hooz-GAH-doh/xuzˈɣa.ðo/

AdjectiveB1Legal
This translates 'tried' only in a legal context, meaning 'judged' or 'put on trial'.
A solemn judge in black robes seated behind a large wooden bench, looking intently at an individual standing formally before them.

Examples

El acusado fue juzgado y declarado inocente.

The defendant was judged and declared innocent.

Su conducta fue juzgada como inapropiada.

His conduct was evaluated as inappropriate.

Must Agree in Gender and Number

As an adjective, 'juzgado' must match the word it describes. If you are talking about 'la causa' (the case, feminine), you must say 'la causa fue juzgada' (feminine ending -a).

Using the wrong ending

Mistake: “La persona fue juzgado.”

Correction: La persona fue juzgada. (The person was judged.) Remember to change the -o to -a when describing a feminine noun.

Attempt vs. Tasted

The most common confusion is between 'intentar' and 'probar' for 'to try'. Remember that 'intentar' (or its past forms like 'intentó' and 'trató') means to make an effort or attempt, while 'probar' specifically means to taste or sample food/drink.

Related Translations

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