‘He Is Trying It’ in Spanish | Natural Ways To Say It

Spanish usually says he’s trying it with lo está probando for tasting or testing, or lo está intentando for making an effort.

English packs a lot into “he is trying it.” Is he tasting a new dish? Testing a phone feature? Giving a hobby a shot? Or struggling to do something hard? Spanish asks you to pick the idea first, then the verb falls into place.

This article gives you the core translations, when each one sounds natural, and the little grammar moves that keep your Spanish smooth. You’ll also get short, usable sample lines you can swap into your own conversations.

What “He Is Trying It” Means In English

Before you translate, pin down the meaning. English uses “try” for at least two common ideas, and Spanish splits them.

Trying As Testing Or Tasting

This is the “let me see what this is like” sense. He tastes a sauce, tests a game, checks a feature, or gives something a first run. Spanish most often goes with probar.

Trying As Making An Effort

This is the “he’s attempting” sense. He’s working on a task, pushing through a challenge, or making an effort to do something. Spanish often uses intentar or tratar de.

‘He Is Trying It’ in Spanish: Verbs That Fit The Moment

Here are the natural choices you’ll hear across many Spanish-speaking places. Start with these, then adjust for context.

Lo Está Probando

Lo está probando means “he’s trying it” in the sense of tasting or testing. Lo stands for “it,” so this line works when the “it” is clear in the moment.

• Está probando el café. He’s trying the coffee.
• Lo está probando ahora. He’s trying it right now.
• ¿Ya lo probó? Did he try it already?

Lo Está Intentando

Lo está intentando leans toward “he’s attempting it.” It can work when “it” is a task or action that’s already known. In many cases, Spanish feels clearer if you say what he’s trying to do right after the verb.

• Lo está intentando, pero le cuesta. He’s trying, but it’s hard for him.
• Está intentando arreglarlo. He’s trying to fix it.
• Está intentando aprender. He’s trying to learn.

Está Tratando De + Infinitive

Tratar de is a workhorse for “trying to.” It often sounds more natural than forcing “it” into a pronoun. If you can name the action, this is a safe pick.

• Está tratando de entender. He’s trying to understand.
• Está tratando de hacerlo bien. He’s trying to do it well.
• Está tratando de no llegar tarde. He’s trying not to be late.

Está Probando A + Person Or Animal

Spanish also uses probar with a when the object is a person in a “test out” sense, like trying a new teacher or trainer. It’s less common in casual speech, but you’ll see it.

Está probando al nuevo entrenador. He’s trying out the new coach.

Está Experimentando Con

When “trying it” means experimenting with an idea, a recipe, or a technique, experimentar con fits well. It sounds more specific than plain “try.”

Está experimentando con una receta nueva. He’s experimenting with a new recipe.

How To Choose The Right Spanish Verb Fast

You don’t need a long debate in your head. Use a quick filter based on what “it” is.

If “It” Is Food, Drink, Or A Sample

Go with probar. You can say lo está probando if the item is already clear, or name the thing: está probando el helado.

If “It” Is A Device, App, Or Feature

Probar still works. You’re testing how it behaves. If he’s testing a setting, lo está probando is a clean, everyday line.

If “It” Is A Task Or Goal

Shift to intentar or tratar de. Spanish likes spelling out the action: está tratando de terminar, está intentando llamarte.

If “It” Is A New Habit Or Routine

Both can work, but they carry different vibes. Está probando correr por las mañanas feels like he’s giving it a trial run. Está tratando de correr por las mañanas feels like he’s pushing himself to stick with it.

Pronouns That Make “It” Sound Natural

English uses “it” in a broad way. Spanish pronouns change with gender and number, and they can also be skipped when the noun is stated.

Lo, La, Los, Las

Use these when “it/them” refers to a thing that’s known in the moment.

• Lo está probando. He’s trying it. (a masculine noun, or a whole idea)
• La está probando. He’s trying it. (a feminine noun)
• Los está probando. He’s trying them. (masculine plural)
• Las está probando. He’s trying them. (feminine plural)

Eso, Esto, Esa, Esta

When you want to point at something, demonstratives can replace “it” with a clear gesture. They’re handy when the noun hasn’t been named.

Está probando eso. He’s trying that.

When To Skip The Pronoun

If you say the noun, you often don’t need lo at all.

Está probando la sopa. He’s trying the soup.

Common Conjugations You’ll Use A Lot

Most of the time, “he is trying” uses the present progressive: estar + gerund. You can also switch to simple present for habits or general statements.

Present Progressive

• Él está probando. He is trying (testing/tasting).
• Él está intentando. He is trying (attempting).
• Él está tratando de + infinitive. He is trying to…

Simple Present With A “Right Now” Feel

Spanish often uses simple present where English uses progressive, especially in casual talk.

• Prueba el pastel. He’s trying the cake.
• Intenta arreglarlo. He’s trying to fix it.

Past And Future Quick Swaps

Once you know the verb, tense changes are easy.

• Lo probó. He tried it.
• Lo estaba probando. He was trying it.
• Lo va a probar. He’s going to try it.
• Va a intentar hacerlo. He’s going to try to do it.

Natural Options Side By Side

Use this table as a quick pick list. The “best use” column tells you what each phrase is built for.

Spanish Phrase	Best Use	Notes
Lo está probando	Tasting or testing something known	Swap lo/la/los/las to match the noun
Está probando el/la + noun	Tasting or testing with the item named	Great when the listener needs clarity
Está intentando + infinitive	Attempting an action	Often clearer than “trying it” with a pronoun
Lo está intentando	Attempting a known task or plan	Works when “it” is already understood
Está tratando de + infinitive	Trying to do something	Sounds natural across many regions
Está probando a + person	Trying out a person in a role	More common in written Spanish than chatty talk
Está experimentando con	Testing ideas or methods	Good for cooking, art, and learning routines
Lo está poniendo a prueba	Putting it to the test	Has a stronger “stress test” feel

Spanish Sentences You Can Borrow

These lines are short and practical. Swap nouns and time words to fit your scene.

Food And Drink

• Está probando la salsa. He’s trying the sauce.
• Lo está probando por primera vez. He’s trying it for the first time.
• ¿Quieres que lo pruebe? Do you want him to try it?

Apps, Games, And Tech

• Está probando una app nueva. He’s trying a new app.
• Lo está probando en su teléfono. He’s trying it on his phone.
• Está probando el modo oscuro. He’s trying dark mode.

Effort And Attempts

• Está tratando de hablar más despacio. He’s trying to speak more slowly.
• Está intentando terminar hoy. He’s trying to finish today.
• Lo está intentando otra vez. He’s trying it again.

Small Mistakes That Make Spanish Sound Off

These are the errors learners run into when they translate word for word. Fixing them makes your Spanish sound more native right away.

Using Intentar For Tasting

Intentar is about effort. For tasting a dish, it can sound odd. Use probar instead.

Using Probar For A Hard Task

Probar can mean “to test,” but a tough task usually calls for intentar or tratar de. If you say lo está probando about a task, it can sound like he’s testing a feature, not struggling through it.

Forgetting Object Pronouns

If you don’t name the thing, Spanish often needs lo/la/los/las to keep the sentence complete. If you do name the thing, the pronoun is optional and often dropped.

Mixing Up Lo And Le

Lo is the direct object “it.” Le is usually “to him/to her.” In many regions, you’ll hear le used where lo would be expected, but as a learner, stick with lo for “it” unless you already know the local pattern.

Common English Thought	Better Spanish Line	Why It Works
He is trying the soup	Está probando la sopa	Probar matches tasting
He is trying to fix it	Está tratando de arreglarlo	Spanish likes naming the action
He is trying it again (a task)	Lo está intentando otra vez	Intentar fits repeated effort
He is trying that feature	Está probando esa función	Demonstratives point clearly
He is trying out the new coach	Está probando al nuevo entrenador	A marks the person
He is trying a new routine	Está probando una rutina nueva	Trial run feel, not heavy effort
He is trying to stay calm	Está intentando mantener la calma	Effort + infinitive is natural

Regional Notes You Might Hear

Spanish varies, but these points travel well. Many places use probar for tasting and testing. Many places also use intentar and tratar de for attempts. What changes most is how often speakers keep the pronoun versus naming the noun again.

Mini Practice To Lock It In

Try translating these in your head, then check the sample answer. Say them out loud once or twice. Your mouth learns the pattern faster than your eyes.

Practice Prompts

1. He is trying the tea.
2. He is trying to call you.
3. He is trying it right now. (a dessert)
4. He is trying to finish the homework.
5. He is trying a new app.

Sample Answers

1. Está probando el té.
2. Está intentando llamarte.
3. Lo está probando ahora.
4. Está tratando de terminar la tarea.
5. Está probando una app nueva.

Quick Recap Without Guesswork

If he’s tasting or testing, reach for probar most times, often. If he’s working on a task, reach for intentar or tratar de.