Intentar vs. Tratar

Attribute	Intentar	Tratar
Meaning	To try	To try/treat
Usage	Commonly used to express an attempt or effort	Can mean both to try and to treat depending on context
Conjugation	Regular -ar verb	Regular -ar verb
Examples	Intento hacer ejercicio todos los días	Voy a tratar de resolver el problema

Definition

Intentar and tratar are two commonly used Spanish verbs that are often confused due to their similar meanings. Intentar typically translates to "to try" or "to attempt," while tratar can mean "to try" as well, but it also has other meanings such as "to treat" or "to deal with." Both verbs are used to convey the idea of making an effort or attempting to do something, but they are not always interchangeable.

Usage

Intentar is often used when talking about trying to do something for the first time or attempting something new. For example, "Voy a intentar aprender a tocar la guitarra" means "I am going to try to learn to play the guitar." Tratar, on the other hand, is used more broadly and can refer to trying to do something for the first time or trying to do something again. For example, "Voy a tratar de arreglar mi coche" means "I am going to try to fix my car."

Connotation

Intentar tends to have a more positive connotation, as it implies making an effort to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge. Tratar, on the other hand, can have a more neutral or even negative connotation, especially when used in the sense of dealing with a difficult situation or trying to manage a problem. For example, "Estoy tratando de superar la pérdida de mi abuela" means "I am trying to cope with the loss of my grandmother."

Formality

Intentar is generally considered more formal than tratar, which is often used in everyday speech and informal contexts. Intentar is commonly used in written language, formal speeches, and professional settings. Tratar, on the other hand, is frequently used in casual conversations, informal emails, and everyday interactions. For example, "Voy a intentar resolver este problema lo antes posible" is more formal than "Voy a tratar de resolver este problema lo antes posible."

Common Phrases

Both intentar and tratar are used in a variety of common phrases in Spanish. Some examples of phrases using intentar include "Intenta de nuevo" (Try again), "Intenta hacerlo mejor" (Try to do it better), and "Voy a intentar convencerlo" (I am going to try to convince him). On the other hand, some common phrases using tratar include "Trata de relajarte" (Try to relax), "Trata de entenderlo" (Try to understand it), and "Voy a tratar de solucionar el problema" (I am going to try to solve the problem).

Conclusion

In conclusion, while intentar and tratar both convey the idea of trying or attempting to do something, they have subtle differences in meaning, connotation, formality, and usage. Understanding these differences can help Spanish learners use these verbs more effectively in various contexts. Whether you choose to use intentar or tratar, remember that practice makes perfect, so keep trying to improve your Spanish language skills!