Portuguese Phrase
Não, mas quero tentar.
Meaning
Literally “No, but I want to try.” The speaker is refusing something (e.g., an invitation or a suggestion) yet expresses a desire to give it a go. The contrast signaled by “mas” softens the refusal and shows openness.
When to use
Use this phrase when you decline an offer, a request, or a suggestion but still want to attempt the activity yourself. It works in casual conversation, language‑learning settings, or any situation where you want to show willingness despite a polite “no”.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nãomasquerotentar
Não (negation)
The adverb of negation placed before the verb or clause it negates. It means “no” or “not”.
mas (conjunction)
A coordinating conjunction meaning “but”. It links two contrasting ideas.
quero (querer, 1st person singular)
Present‑tense form of the verb “querer” (to want). Conjugated as eu quero – “I want”.
tentar (infinitive)
The infinitive of the verb “tentar” (to try). After querer, the infinitive follows directly without “to”.
🗨In Conversation
Não, mas quero tentar.
No, but I want to try.
Claro! Eu te ajudo se precisar.
Sure! I’ll help you if you need it.
✕Common Mistakes
Não, eu quero tentar.
Missing the contrastive conjunction; the sentence sounds like a simple statement rather than a polite refusal followed by a desire.
Não, mas eu quero tentar.
The extra pronoun “eu” is unnecessary because the verb already indicates the subject.
Não, mas quero tentar isso.
Adding “isso” changes the meaning; the original phrase is a general statement, not referring to a specific object.
↔Alternatives
Não, porém quero tentar.
No, however I want to try.
Não, mas gostaria de tentar.
No, but I would like to try.
Não, ainda assim quero tentar.
No, still I want to try.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, saying “não” straight out can sound blunt, so adding a conjunction like “mas” or “porém” softens the tone and shows politeness. It’s common to follow a refusal with an explanation or a willingness to try, especially in collaborative or learning environments.