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A1 verb #2,500 most common 6 min read

experimentar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips experimentar in 30 Seconds
Explanation experimentar in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'experimentar' is a simple verb used for 'trying' things. You use it when you want to try a new food, a drink, or a piece of clothing. It is a regular verb ending in -ar, so it follows the easiest conjugation pattern. You will mostly use it in the present tense: 'Eu experimento o suco' (I try the juice). It is very helpful for shopping and eating out. Think of it as 'sampling' something for the first time.
At the A2 level, you start using 'experimentar' in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) to talk about things you have already tried. 'Eu experimentei o café brasileiro' (I tried Brazilian coffee). You also use it to suggest things to others: 'Você deve experimentar este doce'. You begin to see the difference between 'experimentar' (trying a thing) and 'tentar' (trying to do an action). It becomes a key verb for sharing personal experiences and preferences.
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At the B1 level, you use 'experimentar' in more complex sentence structures, including the imperfect and future tenses. You might use it to describe ongoing processes or hypothetical situations: 'Se eu tivesse tempo, experimentaria o curso de dança'. You also start to use it in the context of 'experiencing' feelings or situations, not just physical objects. It appears in more varied contexts like work (trying a new software) or travel (experiencing a new culture).
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At the B2 level, 'experimentar' is used to discuss abstract concepts and more formal scenarios. You might use it in the subjunctive mood to express desires or doubts: 'É importante que todos experimentem novas ideias'. You understand the nuance between 'experimentar' and its more formal synonyms like 'vivenciar' or 'testar'. You can use it to describe scientific methods or social experiments, and you are comfortable with its use in idiomatic expressions.
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At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic weight of 'experimentar'. You use it in academic or literary contexts to describe the act of empirical observation or the subjective experience of reality. You can distinguish between the transitive use ('experimentar algo') and the rarer intransitive or reflexive-like uses in philosophical discourse. You use it to discuss the 'experimentation' phase of artistic or professional projects with precision.
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At the C2 level, 'experimentar' is a tool for nuanced philosophical and technical expression. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to the concept of 'experience' (experiência) versus 'experiment' (experimento). You can use it to critique scientific papers, discuss the phenomenology of 'experimenting' life, and use it in highly sophisticated rhetorical structures. You are aware of its historical usage in Portuguese literature and its subtle shifts in meaning across the Lusophone world.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

experimentar in 30 Seconds

  • Experimentar means 'to try', 'to taste', or 'to test' in Portuguese.
  • It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate for beginners.
  • Commonly used for food, clothes, and testing new methods or ideas.
  • It can also mean 'to experience' an emotion or a life event.

The Portuguese verb experimentar is a versatile and essential word that every learner must master early on. At its core, it means 'to try', 'to taste', or 'to test'. Unlike English, where we might use different verbs for trying on a shirt versus trying a piece of cake, Portuguese often uses experimentar for both, though it shares some ground with provar. It originates from the Latin experimentare, which relates to the idea of gaining knowledge through experience. When you use this verb, you are essentially describing the act of putting something to the test to see what it is like, whether that is a physical object, a flavor, or a new activity.

Food and Drink
Using the senses to evaluate a flavor. Example: 'Quero experimentar este vinho.'
Clothing and Fashion
Putting on a garment to check the fit or style. Example: 'Vou experimentar o vestido.'
Scientific/Technical
Conducting a trial or experiment. Example: 'O cientista vai experimentar a nova fórmula.'

"Você já pensou em experimentar a culinária local durante a sua viagem?"

— Common travel question

In a broader sense, experimentar is about the first-hand encounter with something new. It is the bridge between the unknown and the known. In the context of life experiences, it can mean 'to undergo' or 'to feel'. For instance, one can experimentar uma sensação de liberdade (experience a feeling of freedom). This depth makes it a powerful tool for expression, moving from the mundane act of tasting soup to the profound act of experiencing human emotions.

Eu preciso experimentar este novo teclado antes de comprá-lo.

Abstract Usage
To feel or undergo an emotion or state. Example: 'Experimentar alegria.'
Methodological Usage
To test a hypothesis or a new way of doing things. Example: 'Vamos experimentar um novo método de ensino.'

Using experimentar correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a regular -ar verb and its syntactic role as a transitive verb. In most cases, it takes a direct object—the thing you are trying. For example, 'Eu experimento (I try) + o bolo (the cake)'. There is no need for a preposition between the verb and the object in its primary meanings.

Present Tense
Eu experimento, tu experimentas, ele/ela/você experimenta, nós experimentamos, eles/elas/vocês experimentam.
Past Tense (Pretérito Perfeito)
Eu experimentei, você experimentou, nós experimentamos, eles experimentaram.

Nós experimentamos o novo restaurante ontem à noite.

When you want to suggest someone try something, the imperative form is common. In Brazil, 'Experimenta!' is the standard informal command. In more formal settings or in Portugal, you might hear 'Experimente'. It is a very encouraging verb, often used in marketing and hospitality to invite customers to engage with a product.

In more complex sentences, experimentar can be followed by another verb in the infinitive, usually mediated by the preposition 'a' or simply used directly depending on the regional dialect, though the direct object structure is far more common. For example, 'Experimente fazer isso de outra forma' (Try doing this in another way).

Você deveria experimentar viajar sozinho pelo menos uma vez.

You will encounter experimentar in a variety of everyday environments. Its frequency in the Portuguese language is high because it covers several distinct English verbs. Here are the primary locations where this word is part of the linguistic landscape:

At the Mall (Shopping)
The most common place is the fitting room (provador). A sales assistant will ask: 'Quer experimentar este tamanho?' (Do you want to try this size?)
In a Restaurant
When a friend has a delicious-looking dish, they might say: 'Quer experimentar um pouco?' (Want to try a bit?)
In Science and Education
Teachers and researchers use it to describe the process of testing theories. 'Vamos experimentar a reação química.'

Onde fica o provador? Eu quero experimentar estas calças.

Beyond physical locations, you'll hear it in media and advertising. Slogans often use the imperative: 'Experimente a nova sensação!' (Try the new sensation!). In digital contexts, software 'trials' are often referred to as 'versões de experimentação' or simply 'experimentar o software gratuitamente'.

Eu nunca experimentei comida japonesa, é boa?

While experimentar is versatile, learners often stumble when distinguishing it from tentar and provar. Understanding these nuances is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Experimentar vs. Tentar
Tentar is 'to try' in the sense of making an effort to achieve a goal (e.g., 'Eu tento falar português'). Experimentar is 'to try' in the sense of testing or experiencing something for the first time.
Experimentar vs. Provar
These are very close. Provar is often used for tasting food or proving a point. In Brazil, experimentar is very common for clothes, while in Portugal, provar is often preferred for garments.

Incorrect: Eu experimento abrir a porta. (Unless you are testing the door's quality)

Correct: Eu tento abrir a porta. (I am making an effort to open it)

Another mistake is using the preposition 'com' (with) when it's not needed. You don't 'experimentar com o bolo', you simply 'experimentar o bolo'. However, in a scientific context, you can 'experimentar com novos materiais', but this is a more specific usage.

Não diga 'Eu vou tentar a sopa'. Diga 'Eu vou experimentar a sopa'.

To truly master experimentar, you should know its synonyms and related terms. This allows for more precise communication and helps you understand different registers of the language.

Provar
Specifically used for tasting food or trying on clothes. It carries a sense of 'verifying' or 'sampling'.
Testar
To test. Used for machines, software, or hypotheses. 'Vou testar o motor'.
Vivenciar
A more formal and deep word for 'to experience' a life event or emotion. 'Vivenciar um trauma' or 'Vivenciar uma grande alegria'.
Degustar
A sophisticated synonym for 'to taste', usually used in the context of fine dining or wine tasting.

Em vez de apenas experimentar, o crítico de vinhos prefere degustar a bebida com calma.

Understanding these synonyms helps you avoid repetition. If you are writing an essay about a new technology, you might start with experimentar and then switch to testar to show technical rigor. If you are writing a poem, vivenciar might be more appropriate than the more clinical experimentar.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar verb conjugation

Direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as)

Imperative mood for suggestions

Infinitive after modal verbs

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Examples by Level

1

Eu quero experimentar o bolo.

I want to try the cake.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

Você quer experimentar esta camisa?

Do you want to try on this shirt?

Question form with 'quer' + infinitive.

3

Ela experimenta o suco de laranja.

She tastes the orange juice.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

4

Nós experimentamos a comida.

We try the food.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

5

Eles experimentam sapatos novos.

They try on new shoes.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

6

Vou experimentar este sorvete.

I'm going to try this ice cream.

Immediate future: Ir + infinitive.

7

Você pode experimentar o queijo.

You can taste the cheese.

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive.

8

Experimenta este chocolate!

Try this chocolate!

Imperative (informal).

1

Ontem eu experimentei feijoada pela primeira vez.

Yesterday I tried feijoada for the first time.

Pretérito Perfeito (Simple Past).

2

Você já experimentou andar de bicicleta aqui?

Have you already tried riding a bike here?

Present perfect sense using 'já' + past.

3

Nós experimentamos todas as roupas da loja.

We tried on all the clothes in the store.

Pretérito Perfeito, 1st person plural.

4

Ela não quis experimentar o peixe.

She didn't want to try the fish.

Negative past with 'querer'.

5

Eles experimentaram o novo aplicativo ontem.

They tried the new app yesterday.

Pretérito Perfeito, 3rd person plural.

6

Eu experimentava roupas quando ela chegou.

I was trying on clothes when she arrived.

Pretérito Imperfeito (Past continuous sense).

7

Vamos experimentar um caminho diferente hoje.

Let's try a different path today.

Incentive 'Vamos' + infinitive.

8

Você experimentou o vinho que eu comprei?

Did you try the wine I bought?

Past tense question.

1

Se eu fosse você, experimentaria o prato do dia.

If I were you, I would try the dish of the day.

Conditional mood.

2

Espero que você experimente a nova academia.

I hope you try the new gym.

Present Subjunctive.

3

Eles estão experimentando um novo método de estudo.

They are trying out a new study method.

Present Continuous (Gerund).

4

Já experimentamos diversas soluções, mas nenhuma funcionou.

We have already tried several solutions, but none worked.

Contrastive sentence with 'mas'.

5

Ao experimentar a jaqueta, percebi que estava rasgada.

Upon trying on the jacket, I noticed it was torn.

Preposition 'ao' + infinitive (temporal).

6

Gostaria de experimentar viver em outro país.

I would like to experience living in another country.

Polite request 'Gostaria de' + infinitive.

7

O cientista experimentou a substância em laboratório.

The scientist tested the substance in the lab.

Formal past usage.

8

Sempre experimento as novidades do mercado.

I always try the new things on the market.

Habitual present.

1

É fundamental que a empresa experimente novas estratégias de marketing.

It is fundamental that the company tries new marketing strategies.

Subjunctive after impersonal expression.

2

Experimentar a solidão pode ser um processo de autoconhecimento.

Experiencing loneliness can be a process of self-knowledge.

Infinitive as a noun/subject.

3

O ator experimentou diversas emoções durante a peça.

The actor experienced various emotions during the play.

Abstract usage of the verb.

4

Caso você experimente qualquer efeito colateral, ligue para o médico.

In case you experience any side effect, call the doctor.

Conditional 'Caso' + subjunctive.

5

Eles haviam experimentado o protótipo antes do lançamento.

They had tested the prototype before the launch.

Past Perfect (Mais-que-perfeito composto).

6

A marca permite que os clientes experimentem os produtos em casa.

The brand allows customers to try the products at home.

Subjunctive after 'permitir que'.

7

Não se deve experimentar drogas, pois o risco é alto.

One should not try drugs, as the risk is high.

Passive/Impersonal 'se'.

8

Experimentar o fracasso é parte do caminho para o sucesso.

Experiencing failure is part of the path to success.

Philosophical usage.

1

A fenomenologia busca descrever como experimentamos o mundo.

Phenomenology seeks to describe how we experience the world.

Academic context.

2

O autor experimenta com a linguagem em seu novo romance.

The author experiments with language in his new novel.

Usage with 'com' for artistic trial.

3

Embora tenha experimentado dificuldades, ele nunca desistiu.

Although he experienced difficulties, he never gave up.

Concessive 'Embora' + subjunctive.

4

A sociedade contemporânea experimenta uma crise de valores sem precedentes.

Contemporary society is experiencing an unprecedented crisis of values.

Sociological usage.

5

É imperativo que experimentemos modelos econômicos mais sustentáveis.

It is imperative that we try more sustainable economic models.

Formal imperative expression.

6

O paciente experimentou uma melhora significativa após o tratamento.

The patient experienced a significant improvement after the treatment.

Medical/Formal context.

7

Experimentar a alteridade é essencial para a empatia.

Experiencing otherness is essential for empathy.

Philosophical terminology.

8

Ao longo da história, o homem experimentou diversas formas de governo.

Throughout history, man has experienced various forms of government.

Historical narrative usage.

1

A obra convida o espectador a experimentar a vacuidade do espaço.

The work invites the viewer to experience the emptiness of space.

High-level aesthetic discourse.

2

Ousar experimentar o impensável é a marca dos grandes gênios.

Daring to experience the unthinkable is the mark of great geniuses.

Rhetorical structure.

3

A subjetividade humana é moldada por aquilo que experimentamos no âmago do ser.

Human subjectivity is shaped by what we experience in the core of our being.

Metaphysical usage.

4

Não obstante as críticas, o governo decidiu experimentar a nova política fiscal.

Despite the criticisms, the government decided to try the new fiscal policy.

Formal 'Não obstante'.

5

Experimentar a finitude da vida altera nossa percepção do tempo.

Experiencing the finiteness of life alters our perception of time.

Existential context.

6

O laboratório logrou experimentar a teoria sob condições extremas.

The laboratory succeeded in testing the theory under extreme conditions.

Formal verb 'lograr'.

7

A mística busca experimentar a divindade de forma direta e inefável.

The mystic seeks to experience divinity in a direct and ineffable way.

Theological context.

8

A capacidade de experimentar empatia radical define nossa humanidade.

The capacity to experience radical empathy defines our humanity.

Ethical discourse.

Common Collocations

experimentar comida
experimentar roupas
experimentar um método
experimentar uma sensação
experimentar alegria
experimentar dor
experimentar o novo
experimentar pela primeira vez
querer experimentar
deixar experimentar

Common Phrases

Deixe-me experimentar.
Você quer experimentar?
Vou experimentar este.
Experimenta aí!
Vale a pena experimentar.
Nunca experimentei isso.
Pode experimentar à vontade.
Onde posso experimentar?
Experimentar para crer.
Gostaria de experimentar.

Often Confused With

experimentar vs tentar

experimentar vs provar

experimentar vs experienciar

Idioms & Expressions

"Experimentar o próprio veneno (To taste one's own medicine)"
"Experimentar os limites (To push the limits)"
"Dar uma experimentada (To give it a quick try)"
"Experimentar novos ares (To seek a change of scenery)"
"Experimentar a sorte (To try one's luck)"
"Experimentar o amargo da derrota (To taste the bitterness of defeat)"
"Experimentar na pele (To experience something firsthand/painfully)"
"Experimentar o sucesso (To taste success)"
"Experimentar o fogo (To go through a trial by fire)"
"Experimentar o peso de (To feel the burden of)"

Easily Confused

experimentar vs tentar

Tentar is for effort/attempting an action. Experimentar is for testing/sampling a thing.

experimentar vs provar

Provar is more specific to tasting or proving a fact; Experimentar is broader.

experimentar vs experiência

Experiência is the noun (experience); Experimentar is the verb (to try/experience).

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

brazil vs portugal

In Brazil, 'experimentar' is the dominant word for clothes. In Portugal, 'provar' is equally or more common for garments.

scientific context

Use 'experimentar' or 'testar' for experiments.

Common Mistakes

  • Tentar is for effort; experimentar is for tasting.

  • No preposition 'de' is needed.

  • 'Experienciar' is a rare, often criticized neologism. Use 'experimentar' or 'vivenciar'.

  • Opening is an action requiring effort, so 'tentar' is better.

  • While 'provar' is okay, 'experimentar' is more common for clothes in Brazil.

Tips

Foodie Tip

Always use 'experimentar' when a local offers you food. It sounds more natural than 'comer'.

Conjugation

Focus on the 'Eu' and 'Você' forms first, as they are the most common in daily life.

Market Manners

In Brazil, saying 'Vou experimentar' is a great way to engage with vendors.

Writing

Use 'vivenciar' in your essays to describe life experiences for a higher CEFR level feel.

The 'X'

The 'X' in 'experimentar' is pronounced like 'S' in most dialects (es-pe-ri-mentar).

Fitting Rooms

Look for the sign 'Provador' to 'experimentar' your clothes.

Lab Work

If you are a student, 'experimentar' is the verb for conducting your lab trials.

Sharing

Use 'Quer experimentar?' to offer a bite of your food to a friend.

Luck

Use 'experimentar a sorte' when you are about to do something risky or enter a lottery.

Avoid Tentar

Don't say 'tentar a sopa'. It sounds like you are making an effort to be a soup!

Memorize It

Word Origin

Latin

Cultural Context

Portuguese cuisine is diverse; 'experimentar' local dishes like Bacalhau is a must for visitors.

Offering food to 'experimentar' is a sign of welcome.

Always ask 'Posso experimentar?' before taking clothes to the fitting room.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Você já experimentou comida tailandesa?"

"Qual foi a coisa mais estranha que você já experimentou?"

"Você gosta de experimentar roupas novas?"

"O que você gostaria de experimentar no próximo final de semana?"

"Você já experimentou pular de paraquedas?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva algo novo que você experimentou esta semana.

Escreva sobre uma comida que você experimentou e não gostou.

Se você pudesse experimentar qualquer profissão por um dia, qual seria?

Como você se sente ao experimentar algo fora da sua zona de conforto?

Relate sua experiência ao experimentar aprender uma nova língua.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. Use 'tentar' for actions like 'trying to run'. Use 'experimentar' for things like 'trying a new sport'.

Yes, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb in all tenses.

You say 'experimentar roupas' or 'provar roupas'.

'Testar' is more technical or mechanical, like testing a car. 'Experimentar' is more personal and sensory.

Yes, you can 'experimentar uma grande alegria' (experience a great joy).

Usually just 'experimentar' + direct object. No 'a' is needed unless it's a specific grammatical structure.

You can say 'Experimenta!' or 'Dá uma experimentada!'.

Yes, you can 'experimentar um novo funcionário' during a trial period.

The past participle is 'experimentado' (tried/experienced).

Yes, for testing markets, products, or strategies.

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