heypolyglot
Italian

tentativo

/ten.taˈti.vo/noun · masculineB1
Common · Top 3,000

Meaning

attempt, try

  • attempt, try, effort, shot, endeavour/endeavor

In a sentence

Al primo tentativo, non sono riuscito ad aprirlo.

On the first try, I couldn't open it.

Vuoi fare un altro tentativo prima di uscire?

Do you want to make another attempt before leaving?

Il suo tentativo di segnare è finito fuori.

His attempt to score went wide.

Word forms (2)
WordWord forms
tentativomasculine · singular
tentativimasculine · plural

Usage notes

  • Use tentativo for a concrete or specific try; sforzo stresses exertion, and prova often means a test or trial.
  • Common with fare: fare un tentativo. Also often appears in fixed patterns like tentativo di fuga or tentativo di omicidio.
  • Usually countable: un tentativo, due tentativi. For a general idea, Italian often prefers provarci or cercare instead of the noun.

Related words

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