What is the difference between "intentando", "tratando", "probando" in Spanish?

The English word 'trying' can be translated into Spanish in several ways, depending on the nuance of the action. While 'intentando' and 'tratando' are often interchangeable for the general sense of attempting something, 'probando' is used specifically for testing or trying out something new.

How to Say "trying" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “trying” is “intentando” — use 'intentando' when describing an ongoing effort or attempt to achieve a goal, often implying a degree of difficulty..

intentando🔊A2

Use 'intentando' when describing an ongoing effort or attempt to achieve a goal, often implying a degree of difficulty.

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tratando🔊A2

Use 'tratando' when focusing on the act of making an effort or endeavoring to do something, similar to 'intentando' but sometimes with a slightly more formal or deliberate connotation.

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probando🔊A1

Use 'probando' specifically when you are testing, sampling, or trying out something (like food, a product, a theory) to see if it works or if you like it.

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English → Spanish

intentando

/in-ten-TAN-doh//intenˈtando/

Verb Form (Gerund)A2General

Use 'intentando' when describing an ongoing effort or attempt to achieve a goal, often implying a degree of difficulty.

A small, determined character straining to pull a large, heavy red cube with a rope up a gentle green hill, demonstrating persistent effort.

Examples

Estoy intentando arreglar mi bicicleta.

I'm trying to fix my bicycle.

Estoy intentando aprender español.

I'm trying to learn Spanish.

Sigue intentando, ¡casi lo tienes!

Keep trying, you've almost got it!

Llevo horas intentando arreglar la computadora.

I've been trying to fix the computer for hours.

The Spanish '-ing' Form

'Intentando' is the '-ing' version of the verb 'intentar' (to try). You'll almost always see it paired with another verb, most commonly 'estar', to say that you are trying something right now. For example, 'Estoy intentando' means 'I am trying'.

Not a Standalone Verb

Mistake: “Yo intentando hablar.”

Correction: Yo *estoy* intentando hablar. In Spanish, you usually need a helper verb like 'estar' (to be) before the '-ando' or '-iendo' form to talk about what you're doing right now.

See full entry for “intentando” →

tratando

/trah-TAHN-doh//tɾaˈtando/

Verb Form (Gerund)A2General

Use 'tratando' when focusing on the act of making an effort or endeavoring to do something, similar to 'intentando' but sometimes with a slightly more formal or deliberate connotation.

A small, determined child pushing a large, bright blue block up a gentle green incline, symbolizing the act of trying hard to accomplish a task.

Examples

Ella está tratando de entender el problema.

She is trying to understand the problem.

Estoy tratando de aprender español.

I'm trying to learn Spanish.

Sigue tratando, ¡casi lo tienes!

Keep trying, you almost have it!

Estamos tratando este asunto en la reunión.

We are dealing with this matter in the meeting.

The Spanish '-ing' Form

'Tratando' is what's called a gerund, which is the Spanish version of adding '-ing' to a verb. You almost always use it with a helper verb like 'estar' (to be) to describe an action that is currently in progress.

'Tratando de' = 'Trying to'

To say you are 'trying to do' something, the structure is always 'estar tratando de' + the action verb. For example, 'Estoy tratando de llamar' means 'I'm trying to call'.

Using It Without a Helper Verb

Mistake: “Yo tratando de estudiar.”

Correction: Yo estoy tratando de estudiar. Unlike in some informal English, you almost always need a helper verb like 'estoy' (I am) before the '-ando' or '-iendo' word to make a full sentence.

Forgetting 'de'

Mistake: “Estoy tratando abrir la caja.”

Correction: Estoy tratando de abrir la caja. When you are 'trying to do' an action, you need the little word 'de' to connect 'tratando' to the next verb.

See full entry for “tratando” →

probando

proh-BAHN-doh/pɾoˈβan̪d̪o/

GerundA1General

Use 'probando' specifically when you are testing, sampling, or trying out something (like food, a product, a theory) to see if it works or if you like it.

A determined boy climbing a small wooden ladder, illustrating the act of trying to achieve something.

Examples

Vamos a probar la comida tailandesa.

We are going to try the Thai food.

Estamos probando el nuevo sistema operativo antes de lanzarlo.

We are testing the new operating system before launching it.

¿Qué estás probando? ¿Funciona?

What are you trying? Does it work?

Forming Continuous Actions

The word 'probando' is the '-ing' form (the gerund). You almost always use it with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action is happening right now: 'Estoy probando' (I am trying).

Always Ends in -ando

Since the base verb 'probar' ends in '-ar', its gerund form always ends in '-ando'. Verbs ending in '-er' or '-ir' use '-iendo' instead.

Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy probando.”

Correction: Estoy probando. The verb 'estar' describes temporary, ongoing actions, while 'ser' describes permanent qualities.

See full entry for “probando” →

Intentando vs. Tratando vs. Probando

The most common mistake is using 'probando' when you mean 'intentando' or 'tratando'. Remember, 'probando' is for testing or sampling; if you are simply making an effort to do something, stick with 'intentando' or 'tratando'.

Related Translations

attempting→dealing with→sampling→tasting→testing→treating→trying on→

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