¿Quieres saber cómo decir “they are trying two different pizzas” en español sin quedarte en blanco?
Imagine you’re at a bustling pizzeria in Madrid, the aroma of mozzarella and oregano filling the air. ” You want to sound natural, not like a textbook robot. Your friends are debating toppings, and the waiter asks, “¿Qué van a probar?The short version is: *Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes Simple, but easy to overlook. Worth knowing..
Sounds simple, right? Yet in practice most learners trip over verb tenses, gender agreement, or the word diferente. Below you’ll get the full low‑down—what the sentence looks like, why the little details matter, the step‑by‑step grammar, common slip‑ups, and tips you can start using today Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
What Is “They Are Trying Two Different Pizzas” in Spanish
When we break the English phrase down, three pieces need translation:
- Subject – they → ellos (or just implied by the verb).
- Progressive verb – are trying → están probando (the present progressive of probar).
- Object – two different pizzas → dos pizzas diferentes.
Putting it together gives the clean sentence:
Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes.
If the context already makes the subject clear, Spanish lets you drop ellos:
Están probando dos pizzas diferentes.
That’s the most natural way you’ll hear it in a real conversation.
Why It Matters / Why People Care
Getting this right does more than avoid a grammar quiz fail. Even so, it shows you respect the language and the people you’re talking to. Imagine you’re on a video call with a Spanish‑speaking client and you misplace the adjective. Dos diferentes pizzas sounds odd, and the client might think you’re not serious about the project.
Also, the verb probar carries a subtle nuance: it means “to taste” or “to try” in the sense of sampling food. Worth adding: if you say comer (to eat), you lose the idea of testing out flavors. So the choice of verb actually changes the meaning—están comiendo dos pizzas diferentes would just mean “they are eating two different pizzas,” not “they are trying them out.
How It Works
Below is the grammar toolbox you need to assemble the sentence correctly. Each piece can be reused in countless other contexts, so treat it like a mini‑cookbook for Spanish Most people skip this — try not to..
1. The Subject Pronoun (or Its Omission)
Spanish is a pro‑drop language. The verb ending usually tells you who’s doing the action.
| English | Spanish subject | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| they (masc.) | ellos | When you need emphasis or contrast |
| they (mixed/fem.) | ellas | If the group is all female |
| neutral | — (omit) | In most spoken contexts |
Tip: If you’re already talking about a specific group, drop the pronoun. It sounds smoother And that's really what it comes down to..
2. Forming the Present Progressive
The progressive is built with estar + gerund.
Estar conjugates in the present tense:
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo | estoy |
| Tú | estás |
| Él/Ella/Usted | está |
| Nosotros | estamos |
| Vosotros | estáis |
| Ellos/Ustedes | están |
The gerund of probar is probando. Notice the “-ando” ending for -ar verbs Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Simple as that..
Why the progressive? It signals an action happening right now—perfect for a live tasting scene.
3. Numbers and Nouns
Dos is the cardinal number for “two.” Spanish numbers don’t change with gender, but they do agree with the noun in terms of plurality Worth keeping that in mind. Took long enough..
- Dos pizza → wrong (pizza is singular).
- Dos pizzas → correct (plural noun).
4. Placing the Adjective
In Spanish, most adjectives follow the noun, especially when the adjective is descriptive rather than evaluative.
- pizzas diferentes (different pizzas) ✔
- diferentes pizzas → possible but sounds poetic or emphatic.
If you want to stress the “different” part, you could front the adjective, but the default order is noun + adjective.
5. Putting It All Together
Combine the pieces:
- Subject (optional) → Ellos
- Progressive verb → están probando
- Number + noun → dos pizzas
- Adjective → diferentes
Result: Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes.
Or, with the subject omitted: Están probando dos pizzas diferentes.
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
-
Mixing up probar and probarse
Probarse means “to try on” clothing. Saying Ellos se están probando dos pizzas sounds like they’re putting the pizzas on a mannequin. -
Using comer instead of probar
As covered, comer just means “to eat.” If the goal is “trying,” stick with probar. -
Wrong adjective position
Dos diferentes pizzas is grammatically possible but feels forced. Native ears expect pizzas diferentes Worth knowing.. -
Forgetting agreement on plural
Dos pizza or dos pizzas diferente will raise eyebrows. Both the noun and the adjective need the plural s But it adds up.. -
Dropping the gerund ending
Están proban is a classic learner error. The gerund must end in -ando (or -iendo for -er/-ir verbs) Less friction, more output..
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
- Listen first. Grab a short clip from a Spanish food vlog and note how they describe tasting dishes. You’ll hear probando used naturally.
- Swap nouns. Practice the same structure with other foods: Están probando tres helados diferentes. The pattern sticks.
- Use flashcards for gerunds. Write the infinitive on one side, the gerund on the other. Quick recall helps you avoid probando → probando slips.
- Record yourself. Say the sentence aloud, then play it back. Does it sound like a native speaker? Adjust stress on dos and diferentes.
- Add a little flavor. If you want to sound more conversational, prepend a filler: Mira, están probando dos pizzas diferentes. It mirrors how Spaniards actually speak.
FAQ
Q: Can I say “They’re trying two different pizza” without the plural “s”?
A: No. Pizza is a countable noun in Spanish, so you need the plural pizzas when the quantity is more than one Worth keeping that in mind..
Q: Is diferente ever placed before the noun?
A: Only for emphasis or poetic effect, e.g., diferentes pizzas would be unusual. Stick with noun‑first for everyday speech Which is the point..
Q: What if the group is all female?
A: Use ellas or omit the pronoun. The verb form stays están because it’s the same for masculine and feminine third‑person plural That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Q: Could I use probando in the past?
A: Yes. For a past ongoing action, switch to the imperfect: Estaban probando dos pizzas diferentes.
Q: Is there a shorter way to say it?
A: In casual chat you might drop están and say Probando dos pizzas diferentes if the context already implies a present action Small thing, real impact..
And there you have it. Here's the thing — the next time you’re at a Spanish pizzeria, you’ll be able to drop Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes into the conversation without a second‑guess. It’s a tiny phrase, but mastering it shows you’ve moved beyond textbook memorization into real‑world fluency. Buen provecho!
5. A few more variations you might hear
While the “canonical” sentence is Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes, native speakers often add a little extra information that can help you sound more natural. Below are some common tweaks, each followed by a quick note on why it works.
| Variation | Why it sounds native |
|---|---|
| Ellos están probando dos pizzas distintas. | Distintas is a synonym of diferentes that is a bit shorter and more colloquial. But |
| **Están probando dos pizzas distintas, una con pepperoni y otra con jamón. ** | Adding a clause after the comma gives context and mirrors how Spaniards elaborate on a simple statement. |
| Mira, están probando dos pizzas diferentes. | The filler mira (or oye, oye tú) signals a conversational tone; it’s the verbal equivalent of “listen” in English. On top of that, |
| **Ya están probando dos pizzas diferentes. ** | Ya adds the nuance that the tasting has already started, a subtle but common way to frame the timing. |
| ¿Qué tal? – Están probando dos pizzas diferentes. | Pairing the sentence with a question–answer exchange mimics the back‑and‑forth of everyday dialogue. |
When to swap probando for another verb
| Situation | Preferred verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If the focus is on the decision to try | probar (simple present) | Ellos prueban dos pizzas diferentes. |
| If you want to stress the taste itself | degustar | Ellos están degustando dos pizzas diferentes. |
| If the tasting is part of a competition | catar (used for wine/food judging) | *Ellos están catar dos pizzas diferentes. |
All three verbs are correct; the choice depends on the register you’re aiming for.
6. Common pitfalls for intermediate learners (and how to avoid them)
| Pitfall | How it looks | Why it’s wrong | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missing the article before dos | Ellos están probando dos pizza | Numerals >1 already imply a definite article; leaving it out sounds like a literal translation from English. In real terms, | Keep dos alone; no article needed. Even so, |
| Using dos before the adjective | Dos diferentes pizzas | Spanish adjective order is noun‑first unless you’re emphasizing the adjective. | Stick with pizzas diferentes. |
| Confusing probando with probado | Ellos están probado dos pizzas | Probado is the past participle (used with haber), not a gerund. | Use probando for the ongoing action. |
| Over‑pluralising the adjective | pizzas diferenteses | Spanish adjectives never take an extra ‑es for plural; they simply add ‑s. Day to day, | diferentes is already plural. |
| Dropping the subject pronoun in ambiguous contexts | Están probando dos pizzas diferentes (no clue who “they” are) | If the previous sentence doesn’t make the referent clear, listeners may wonder who is tasting. | Add ellos or a proper noun if needed. |
7. A mini‑dialogue to practice
Camarero: Buenas, ¿qué quieren probar?
Cliente 1: Nosotros estamos probando dos pizzas diferentes.
Consider this: > Cliente 2: Sí, una de cuatro quesos y la otra de jamón serrano. > Camarero: Perfecto, les traigo las dos en seguida.
Read it aloud a few times, then swap the nouns (e.Here's the thing — g. , tapas, ensaladas) and the adjectives (picantes, dulces) to internalise the pattern.
Conclusion
Mastering a single sentence may seem modest, but it encapsulates a bundle of grammatical concepts that every Spanish learner must juggle: subject pronouns, the present progressive, gerund formation, noun‑adjective order, and agreement in number. By dissecting Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes we’ve seen how each piece functions, where learners typically stumble, and what real‑world variations sound natural.
The takeaway is simple:
- Keep the structure – [pronoun] + estar + gerundio + numeral + noun + adjective – as your backbone.
- Mind agreement – both noun and adjective must match in number (and gender, when applicable).
- Listen and repeat – expose yourself to authentic speech, then mimic the rhythm and filler words (mira, ya, ¿qué tal?).
- Play with the pattern – change the verb, the noun, or the adjective to cement the syntax in your mind.
Every time you walk into a pizzeria in Madrid, Barcelona, or any Spanish‑speaking corner of the world, you’ll no longer need to translate mentally. You’ll just say, “Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes,” or any of the natural variations we explored, and blend right in with the locals.
So go ahead—order that slice, savor the flavors, and let the language flow as effortlessly as the cheese melting on the crust. ¡Buen provecho y feliz aprendizaje!
8. Beyond the sentence: extending the pattern
| Context | Possible expansion | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Describing a group activity | Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes mientras escuchan música. | Adding a conjunción + gerundio keeps the progressive flow. |
| Introducing a time clause | Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes hoy. | The adverb of time can slot in after the verb phrase. |
| Using a reflexive verb | *Ellos están probándose una nueva salsa a la pizza.That said, * | Reflexive pronouns behave like ordinary pronouns; the gerund stays unchanged. |
| Adding a modal | Ellos podrían estar probando dos pizzas diferentes si hubieran pedido más. | Modals stack on top of the main verb phrase; the gerund remains the same. |
Real talk — this step gets skipped all the time Still holds up..
8.1 A quick “fill‑in‑the‑blank” exercise
-
Ellos están ___ (jugar) con las fichas del juego.
Respuesta: jugando -
Mi familia está ___ (cenar) en el restaurante italiano.
Respuesta: cenando -
Los estudiantes están ___ (estudiar) para el examen de español.
Respuesta: estudiando -
Tú estás ___ (leer) un libro que te recomendé.
Respuesta: leyendo -
Ellas están ___ (bailar) al ritmo de la música latina.
Respuesta: bailando
Tip: Notice how the -ando or -iendo ending never changes, regardless of the subject or tense. The only thing that shifts is the auxiliary estar (or its conjugation) Worth keeping that in mind..
8.2 Quick‑fire quiz: choose the correct form
| # | Sentence | Correct choice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ellos están ___ (cantar) al coro. | cantando |
| 2 | Yo estoy ___ (escribir) una carta. | escribiendo |
| 3 | Nosotros estamos ___ (nadar) en la piscina. | nadando |
| 4 | Ustedes están ___ (beber) agua. | bebiendo |
| 5 | *Él está ___ (correr) en la pista. |
Answer key: 1‑c, 2‑b, 3‑c, 4‑d, 5‑e.
The pattern is consistent: estar + gerundio Not complicated — just consistent..
9. Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
| Pitfall | What you might hear | Your correction |
|---|---|---|
| Using the simple present instead of the progressive | *Ellos prueban las pizzas.Because of that, * | |
| Dropping the article before a numeral | *Ellos están probando dos pizzas. * | *Ellos están probando las pizzas.Worth adding: * |
| Misplacing the adjective | Ellos están probando diferentes pizzas. (actually correct, but remember to keep dos in Spanish) | |
| Forgetting gender agreement | Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferenteses. | Ellos están probando dos pizzas. |
Rule of thumb: If you can swap “están probando” with “están comiendo” and still make sense, you’re likely following the structure correctly.
10. The cultural angle: why you’ll hear this in everyday life
In Spain, the phrase “probando las pizzas” might pop up at a tapas bar while a group of friends debates which margherita or pepperoni is superior. In Latin America, the same construction is heard in a pizzería in Bogotá or a café in Oaxaca, where locals discuss the sabor of each slice over a cup of café con leche.
Counterintuitive, but true.
The key takeaway: Spanish speakers love to describe what’s happening in real time. The present progressive is your passport to that immediacy. By mastering Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes, you’re not just learning a sentence—you’re learning how to observe, describe, and participate in the vibrant, sensory world of Spanish‑speaking cultures.
11. Wrapping it up: the final checklist
- Subject + estar – conjugated to match the subject.
- Gerundio – ‑ando or ‑iendo; no extra endings for gender or number.
- Numeral + noun – numerals are invariant; nouns agree in number.
- Adjective – comes after the noun; matches number (gender optional).
- Optional modifiers – adverbs, prepositional phrases, or clauses can be added for nuance.
Example: Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes mientras escuchan música.
(They are trying two different pizzas while listening to music.)
12. Conclusion
From the humble kitchen to the bustling streets of a Latin American city, the sentence “Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes” serves as a microcosm of Spanish syntax. Because of that, it teaches you how to weave together pronouns, auxiliaries, gerunds, numerals, nouns, and adjectives into a single, fluid expression that feels natural to native ears. By dissecting each component, confronting common errors, and practicing with real‑world variations, you’ve built a solid foundation that will scale to more complex constructions—whether you’re ordering at a café, describing a group project, or narrating a story.
Remember: language is a living dialogue. Here's the thing — every time you say “Ellos están probando dos pizzas diferentes,” you’re engaging in that dialogue, adding your voice to a centuries‑old conversation. Keep practicing, keep listening, and soon you’ll find yourself effortlessly slipping into Spanish with confidence and flair. ¡Buen provecho y feliz aprendizaje!
Quick note before moving on Simple, but easy to overlook..
