Signification
To try to do something.
Contexte culturel
The phrase 'Попытка — не пытка' is a very common idiom used to encourage someone. It means 'Trying isn't torture,' implying that there's no harm in trying even if you fail. In the Soviet era, 'making an attempt' was often framed as a collective duty toward building the future. Many propaganda posters used similar language to encourage workers to 'attempt' new production records. In the modern Russian startup scene, 'сделать попытку' is often used when discussing 'pivots' or 'MVPs' (Minimum Viable Products), reflecting a shift toward a more experimental, Western-style business approach. Classic Russian literature often focuses on the 'futile attempt' (тщетная попытка). Characters in Dostoevsky or Chekhov often make attempts to change their lives that are thwarted by fate or their own nature.
The 'First Try' Rule
Always use 'с первой попытки' to say you did something on the first try. It's a very common set phrase.
Case Alert
Don't forget the '-у' at the end of 'попытку'. Saying 'сделать попытка' is a very common beginner mistake.
Signification
To try to do something.
The 'First Try' Rule
Always use 'с первой попытки' to say you did something on the first try. It's a very common set phrase.
Case Alert
Don't forget the '-у' at the end of 'попытку'. Saying 'сделать попытка' is a very common beginner mistake.
Sound More Native
Use 'сделать попытку' when you want to sound more formal or when you are talking about a specific 'go' at something, like in a game or sport.
Encouragement
If a friend is nervous, say 'Попытка — не пытка!' to encourage them to just go for it.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the noun 'попытка'.
Он решил сделать вторую ______, чтобы сдать тест.
The verb 'сделать' requires the Accusative case for its direct object. For a feminine noun like 'попытка', the ending is '-у'.
Which sentence is correct for tasting food?
How do you say 'I want to try this soup'?
'Сделать попытку' is for actions and goals, not for sensory experiences like tasting food.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
— Ты сможешь починить мой телефон? — Не знаю, но я ____.
The future tense 'сделаю' is appropriate here to express a willingness to try in the future.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match: 1. Сделать попытку, 2. Попробовать торт, 3. Предпринять попытку (formal).
'Сделать попытку' is neutral/sports, 'Попробовать' is for food, and 'Предпринять' is formal/business.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Try vs. Attempt
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesОн решил сделать вторую ______, чтобы сдать тест.
The verb 'сделать' requires the Accusative case for its direct object. For a feminine noun like 'попытка', the ending is '-у'.
How do you say 'I want to try this soup'?
'Сделать попытку' is for actions and goals, not for sensory experiences like tasting food.
— Ты сможешь починить мой телефон? — Не знаю, но я ____.
The future tense 'сделаю' is appropriate here to express a willingness to try in the future.
Match: 1. Сделать попытку, 2. Попробовать торт, 3. Предпринять попытку (formal).
'Сделать попытку' is neutral/sports, 'Попробовать' is for food, and 'Предпринять' is formal/business.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, but 'делать' (imperfective) implies you are in the process of trying or you try repeatedly. 'Сделать' (perfective) refers to one specific attempt.
Yes, it's perfectly fine, though 'попробую' is shorter and more common for quick texts.
'Попытка' is an attempt to do something. 'Проба' is a sample or a test of a material/food.
No, for clothes use the verb 'померить' or 'примерить'.
It is neutral-formal. It's safe for work but not too stiff for friends.
You say 'последняя попытка'.
Yes, 'сделать попытку к примирению' (to make an attempt at reconciliation) is a common formal structure.
It means a 'futile' or 'useless' attempt.
Not exactly, but 'попробовать' is the more casual default.
Yes, it's the standard term for a 'try' or 'attempt' in athletics.
The plural is 'попытки' (Nominative) or 'попыток' (Genitive).
No, it only implies the effort. Success is usually specified separately (e.g., 'удачная попытка').
It's better to use an infinitive: 'сделать попытку (что сделать?) помочь'.
Very common, especially when describing a character's internal struggle.
Expressions liées
Предпринять попытку
synonymTo undertake an attempt
Оставить попытки
contrastTo stop trying
С первой попытки
builds onOn the first try
Тщетная попытка
specialized formA futile attempt
Пытаться
similarTo try (verb)
Дать шанс
similarTo give a chance
