procurar

The Spanish verb procurar is a sophisticated yet essential word that every intermediate Spanish learner should master. At its core, it means 'to try,' 'to endeavor,' or 'to make an effort to ensure something happens.' While it shares a semantic space with more common verbs like intentar or tratar de, procurar carries a specific nuance of diligence and intentionality. When you use procurar, you aren't just giving something a shot; you are actively managing your actions to achieve a particular result or to maintain a certain standard of behavior.

The Intentional Effort

This verb is used when the speaker wants to emphasize the care taken to achieve an objective. It is very common in advice, instructions, and personal resolutions.

In everyday conversation, you might hear a mother tell her child to 'procurar no ensuciarse' (try not to get dirty). Here, the word suggests a continuous effort of being careful. It is also frequently used in professional or formal settings where 'intentar' might sound too casual or non-committal. If a manager says they will 'procurar resolver el problema,' they are expressing a higher level of commitment to the outcome than if they simply said they would 'try.'

Ensuring a Result

Often, procurar is followed by a subordinate clause starting with 'que' and using the subjunctive mood, meaning 'to see to it that' or 'to ensure that.'

Furthermore, procurar is a key word for expressing social etiquette and social responsibility. It reflects the Spanish cultural value of 'quedar bien' (leaving a good impression) and taking care of one's obligations. When you use this word, you signal that you are a person of character who takes their intentions seriously. It bridges the gap between a simple desire and a concrete action plan.

Understanding the weight of procurar helps learners transition from basic communication to more nuanced, adult-level Spanish. It shows you understand that some efforts require more than just luck; they require a proactive stance. Whether you are talking about health, work habits, or interpersonal relationships, procurar is the verb of the diligent and the responsible.

Synonym Nuance

Compared to intentar, which focuses on the attempt itself, procurar focuses on the diligence and the objective of ensuring the outcome.

Using procurar correctly involves understanding its two primary grammatical structures. The most common way to use it is followed directly by an infinitive verb. In this structure, the subject of procurar is the same as the subject of the following action. This is the equivalent of 'trying to [do something]' in English, but with that added layer of 'making sure to [do something].'

Structure 1: Procurar + Infinitive

Use this when you are the one performing the action you are trying to achieve. No preposition like 'de' or 'a' is needed between the two verbs.

The second major structure is procurar que + subjunctive. This is used when you are trying to ensure that someone else does something or that a certain condition is met. This is a very common way to give polite orders or to express hopes about a situation you are trying to influence. Because you are expressing a wish or influence over another's action, the subjunctive is mandatory.

In terms of tenses, procurar is a regular -ar verb, making it relatively easy to conjugate. In the past tense (pretérito), it implies that the effort was made, regardless of whether it was successful. 'Procuré llamarte' means 'I made an effort to call you' (and implies you might have failed, but the intention was there). In the imperfect, it describes a habitual effort: 'De niño, procuraba no enfadar a mi madre' (As a child, I used to try not to make my mother angry).

Structure 2: Procurar que + Subjunctive

Use this to express that you are seeing to it that a certain outcome happens involving others or external factors.

Finally, you may occasionally see procurar used with a direct object representing a thing, meaning 'to obtain' or 'to get.' While less common in casual speech, it appears in literature: 'Procuró los fondos necesarios para el viaje' (He obtained the necessary funds for the trip). However, for a B1 learner, focusing on the 'try to/ensure' meanings is much more productive.

Negative Usage

When telling someone 'try not to...', use 'Procura no' followed by the infinitive.

The word procurar is a staple of 'polite' Spanish. You will hear it in various real-world scenarios where people are trying to be helpful, professional, or cautious. One of the most common places to encounter it is in a doctor's office or during a health consultation. Doctors often use it to give recommendations that require the patient's active participation.

In the Medical Context

Used for health advice that requires lifestyle changes or consistent effort.

Another frequent setting is in the workplace, specifically during meetings or in emails. It is a way to express commitment without sounding overly aggressive or making promises that might be technically impossible to keep. It shows a 'best effort' approach. A colleague might say, 'Procuraré enviarte los documentos esta tarde,' which sounds more professional and dedicated than a simple 'Trataré de enviarlos.'

In Spanish-speaking homes, parents use it constantly with children. It’s the verb of upbringing. It’s used to set expectations for behavior: 'Procura ser amable con tus primos' (Try to be kind to your cousins). It emphasizes the development of habits and character. You'll also see it in written instructions, such as on signs in public places: 'Procure mantener limpia esta zona' (Please try to keep this area clean).

In Public Signs and Notices

Used as a polite, formal way to request public cooperation.

You will also find procurar in Spanish literature and news reports. When a journalist says 'El gobierno procura calmar a los mercados,' they are describing a deliberate strategy of stabilization. It conveys a sense of agency and purpose. In songs and poetry, it often appears when a protagonist is trying to overcome an emotion or a difficult situation: 'Procuro olvidarte' (I try to forget you) is a very famous line from a classic Spanish ballad.

In Personal Relationships

Used to express care and the intention to maintain a good bond.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with procurar is treating it like a 'false friend' based on the English word 'procure.' While they share an etymological root, their daily usage is quite different. In English, 'to procure' almost always means to obtain something, often with effort or through special means (like procuring supplies). In Spanish, while procurar can mean to obtain, its primary everyday meaning is 'to try' or 'to ensure.'

Mistake 1: The 'De' Trap

Many students say 'Procuro de leer cada día.' This is incorrect. Unlike 'tratar de,' procurar does NOT take the preposition 'de'.

Another common error is failing to use the subjunctive after procurar que. Because procurar que expresses a desire or an attempt to influence another person's actions or a situation, the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood. Learners often mistakenly use the indicative because they are thinking of it as a statement of fact rather than an intention.

Confusing procurar with intentar is also common. While they are synonyms, they are not always interchangeable in terms of tone. Using intentar for a professional commitment can sometimes sound a bit weak, as if you are leaving the door open for failure. Conversely, using procurar for a very simple, physical attempt (like 'I tried to open the jar') can sound slightly overly formal or strange. Procurar is best for efforts involving behavior, habits, or ensuring outcomes.

Mistake 2: Over-formalizing simple actions

Avoid using procurar for purely physical, momentary attempts where no long-term diligence is required.

Finally, remember that procurar is a transitive verb when it means 'to obtain.' If you use it this way, it needs an object. However, most learners should stick to the 'try to' meaning until they are very comfortable with the word. Misusing the 'obtain' meaning can lead to sentences that sound archaic or confusing in a modern context.

To truly master procurar, you need to see how it fits into the family of Spanish verbs that mean 'to try.' Each has its own flavor and specific use case. Understanding these differences will make your Spanish sound much more natural and precise.

Procurar vs. Intentar

Intentar is the most neutral and common word for 'to try.' It focuses on the attempt itself. Procurar focuses on the diligence, the care, and the intention to ensure a specific result.

Another close relative is tratar de. This is very similar to intentar but is almost always followed by an infinitive. It is very common in spoken Spanish. While procurar sounds a bit more 'active' and 'responsible,' tratar de is the workhorse of everyday 'trying.' If you are in doubt, tratar de is usually a safe bet, but procurar adds that extra touch of class and intentionality.

Procurar vs. Tratar de

Tratar de is colloquial and common. Procurar is more formal and implies a commitment to the outcome or a specific manner of doing things.

Then there is esforzarse por/en (to make an effort). This is much stronger than procurar. While procurar implies being careful and ensuring something happens, esforzarse implies hard work, sweat, and significant energy. If procurar is 'to try hard,' esforzarse is 'to strive' or 'to struggle' toward a goal.

Finally, consider asegurarse de que (to make sure that). This is the closest synonym to the 'procurar que' structure. While procurar que means you are trying to ensure it, asegurarse de que is more definitive—it means you are checking to make 100% sure. Procurar is the effort; asegurarse is the verification.

Comparative Summary

- Intentar: Generic 'to try'.
- Tratar de: Common 'to try'.
- Procurar: Diligent 'to try/ensure'.
- Esforzarse: 'To strive/work hard'.
- Asegurarse: 'To make sure/verify'.