Este verano, intentaré dibujar retratos porque quiero aprender nuevas técnicas.

This summer, I will try to draw portraits because I want to learn new techniques.

Breakdown of Este verano, intentaré dibujar retratos porque quiero aprender nuevas técnicas.

• este: this
• yo: I
• nuevo: new
• aprender: to learn
• porque: because
• querer: to want
• intentar: to try
• el verano: the summer
• dibujar: to draw
• el retrato: the portrait
• la técnica: the technique

Questions & Answers about Este verano, intentaré dibujar retratos porque quiero aprender nuevas técnicas.

What does intentaré mean and how is it formed?

Intentaré means “I will try” or “I will attempt.” It is the first-person singular form of the verb intentar in the simple future tense. In Spanish, you form the future tense by taking the entire infinitive (in this case, intentar) and adding the appropriate future ending—-é for yo.

Why is dibujar in the infinitive form following intentaré?

In Spanish, when a conjugated verb that expresses intent or attempt (like intentaré) is followed by another verb, that subsequent verb remains in the infinitive form. Thus, intentaré dibujar retratos correctly conveys “I will try to draw portraits.”

Why does the clause porque quiero aprender nuevas técnicas use the present tense even though the first part is in the future?

The subordinate clause porque quiero aprender nuevas técnicas explains the speaker’s reason or ongoing desire. In Spanish, it is common to use the present tense to express general truths, habitual actions, or lasting intentions, even when the main clause is in the future. Hence, quiero (I want) is used to indicate a current and persistent desire.

What is the significance of the comma after Este verano?

The comma after Este verano sets off an introductory time phrase. It clarifies that Este verano (this summer) provides the temporal context for the main action of the sentence, which is a common punctuation practice in Spanish.

Can you explain the overall structure of the sentence?

Certainly. The sentence is composed of two parts:

• Main Clause: “Este verano, intentaré dibujar retratos.”
  This part uses the simple future tense (intentaré) followed by an infinitive (dibujar) to express a planned future action.
• Subordinate Clause: “porque quiero aprender nuevas técnicas.”
  This segment explains the reason behind the action using porque (“because”) and the present tense (quiero) to express a current desire to learn.
  Together, they communicate that the speaker will try to draw portraits this summer as part of a personal goal to acquire new techniques.