They’re trying two different pizzas.
Sounds simple, right? Yet when you need to say it in Spanish you’ll hear a handful of verbs, a couple of tricky pronouns, and maybe even a reflexive twist you never expected.
If you’ve ever stared at a menu, pointed, and then tried to translate the whole scene for a friend, you know the frustration. The short version is: “Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes.” But there’s a lot more to unpack if you want to sound natural, avoid embarrassing mistakes, and actually understand why Spanish works the way it does.
What Is “They Are Trying Two Different Pizzas” in Spanish
When you break the sentence down, you’re juggling three moving parts: the subject (they), the verb phrase (are trying), and the object (two different pizzas).
Subject pronouns
Spanish often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending tells you who’s doing the action. So you can say están probando and the ellos is understood. Still, if you want to be explicit—maybe you’re writing a story or clarifying who’s at the table—ellos is perfectly fine Surprisingly effective..
The progressive “estar + gerundio”
English uses “are trying.” Spanish mirrors that with the estar + gerund form: están probando. The gerund probando comes from probar (to try, to taste, to test). It’s the go‑to verb when you’re sampling food.
Quantifiers and adjectives
Two translates to dos, and different is diferentes. Note the adjective agreement: pizzas is feminine plural, so diferentes matches in gender and number. Put the adjective after the noun for a more natural feel: dos pizzas diferentes.
Put it all together and you’ve got:
Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes.
Or, dropping the pronoun:
Están probando dos pizzas diferentes.
Both are correct; the second feels a bit more conversational Not complicated — just consistent..
Why It Matters / Why People Care
You might wonder why we’re dissecting a sentence about pizza. It’s not just about ordering dinner Not complicated — just consistent..
- Travel confidence – Imagine you’re in Madrid, the waiter asks ¿Qué quieren probar? You answer confidently, and the chef knows exactly what you mean.
- Cultural nuance – Using the right verb (probar vs. comer vs. degustar) shows you understand the subtle difference between “eating” and “trying.”
- Avoiding awkwardness – A misplaced adjective can sound like you’re describing the pizza’s shape rather than its variety.
- Language learning momentum – Mastering a simple, everyday sentence builds the habit of spotting patterns—progressive tenses, agreement, and word order—so you can tackle more complex ideas later.
In practice, the difference between probando and comiendo is like the difference between “sampling” and “devouring.” If you say Ellos están comiendo dos pizzas diferentes, you’re implying they’re already eating the whole pies, not just tasting them. Real talk: native speakers notice that nuance instantly.
How It Works (or How to Do It)
Let’s dig into each component so you can swap words, change tenses, or flip the subject without breaking a sweat.
1. Choosing the Right Verb
| Verb | When to use it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| probar | Tasting, testing, trying a new dish | *Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes.That's why * |
| degustar | More formal, focusing on flavor appreciation | *Ellos están degustando dos pizzas diferentes. * |
| comer | Eating the whole thing, not just sampling | Ellos están comiendo dos pizzas diferentes. |
| saborear | Emphasizing savoring each bite | *Ellos están saboreando dos pizzas diferentes. |
Not the most exciting part, but easily the most useful And it works..
If you’re at a pizzeria and the group wants to compare flavors, probar is the safe bet.
2. Forming the Progressive
- Conjugate estar in the present: estoy, estás, está, estamos, estáis, están.
- Add the gerund of the main verb. For probar, drop the -ar and add -ando: probando.
Result: están probando (they are trying).
3. Handling Pronouns
- Ellos – masculine or mixed group.
- Ellas – all‑female group.
- Ustedes – formal “you all” in most of Latin America; also used for they in some contexts when the speaker wants extra politeness.
You can omit the pronoun when the verb form is clear. In written narrative, keeping it can add rhythm:
Ellas están probando dos pizzas diferentes mientras el camarero les sirve una ensalada.
4. Numbers and Quantity Words
Spanish numbers are straightforward up to 30. For two you use dos. The noun that follows stays in plural form: dos pizzas Small thing, real impact..
If you want to highlight “only two,” add solo or apenas:
Ellos están probando solo dos pizzas diferentes.
5. Adjective Placement
- Before the noun: often changes meaning (e.g., una gran pizza = a great pizza, not a large one).
- After the noun: neutral description (size, type, condition).
Since diferente is a descriptive adjective, place it after: pizzas diferentes.
6. Adding Details
You can spice up the sentence with adverbs, prepositional phrases, or even a relative clause:
- Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes con mucho queso.
- Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes que el chef recomendó.
Each addition follows the same agreement rules and keeps the verb in the progressive And that's really what it comes down to..
7. Switching Tenses
Want to talk about a past tasting session? Shift estar to the imperfect or preterite and adjust the gerund accordingly:
- Imperfect: Ellos estaban probando dos pizzas diferentes cuando llegó el camarero.
- Preterite: Ellos estuvieron probando dos pizzas diferentes durante una hora.
Notice how the gerund stays the same; only estar changes.
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
-
Using “ser” instead of “estar.”
Ellos son probando is a hard no‑no. Ser describes identity, not ongoing actions Not complicated — just consistent.. -
Mismatching gender/number.
Dos pizza diferentes (missing the s) sounds like you only have one pizza Small thing, real impact.. -
Placing diferente before the noun unintentionally.
Dos diferentes pizzas is technically understandable but sounds odd; native ears expect the adjective after. -
Confusing probar with probarse (reflexive).
Ellos se están probando dos pizzas would mean “they are trying on two pizzas,” as if the pizzas were clothes Worth knowing.. -
Dropping the article when it’s needed.
In some contexts you need las: Ellos están probando las dos pizzas diferentes (the specific two pizzas you both know about) That's the part that actually makes a difference.. -
Overusing comer for “trying.”
Saying están comiendo suggests they’re already finished the pies, not just sampling And it works..
Avoid these slip‑ups and your Spanish will sound polished rather than textbook‑ish.
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
- Listen to the menu. Most Spanish pizzerias list prueba de pizza or degustación for tasting portions. Use those exact words.
- Mirror native speech. When a waiter asks ¿Qué van a probar? reply with Vamos a probar dos pizzas diferentes. The vamos a construction (future of ir) feels natural in casual conversation.
- Practice the gerund. Say the verb + -ando/-iendo out loud until it rolls off your tongue. It’s the same rhythm as English “‑ing.”
- Keep a mini cheat sheet. Write down ellos/ellas + están + gerundio + número + sustantivo + adjetivo and fill in the blanks for other dishes: Ellos están probando tres tacos picantes.
- Use body language. Pointing at the menu while saying the sentence reinforces comprehension, especially in noisy restaurants.
FAQ
Q: Can I use “prueban” instead of “están probando”?
A: Yes, prueban is the simple present (they try). It works if you’re stating a habit: Ellos prueban dos pizzas diferentes cada visita. For an on‑the‑spot action, stick with the progressive It's one of those things that adds up. Turns out it matters..
Q: What if the group is mixed gender?
A: Use ellos (masculine plural) as the default for mixed groups. If you want to be gender‑inclusive, elle is emerging but still informal.
Q: Is “pizzas” masculine or feminine?
A: Pizza is a feminine noun in Spanish, so adjectives and articles agree in the feminine: una pizza grande, las pizzas diferentes Not complicated — just consistent..
Q: How do I say “they are trying two different pizzas each”?
A: Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes cada uno. Adding cada uno clarifies that each person gets two Worth knowing..
Q: Does the order of “dos” and “diferentes” ever change?
A: You could say dos diferentes pizzas, but it sounds stilted. Native speakers prefer dos pizzas diferentes Surprisingly effective..
So next time you’re at a pizzeria in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, or any Spanish‑speaking town, you can confidently say Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes and actually mean what you intend. It’s a tiny sentence, but mastering it gives you a glimpse into how Spanish handles subjects, progressive actions, and agreement—all while you enjoy a slice (or two). Bon appétit, or as they say here, ¡buen provecho!
Not the most exciting part, but easily the most useful.
