Both can mean to sample food, but "taste" emphasizes the flavor; "try" emphasizes the first-time experience.
To attempt something or to sample something for the first time to see if you like it. Does not necessarily imply discussing flavor.
You should try the ceviche here. It is the best in the city.
Deberias probar el ceviche aqui. Es el mejor de la ciudad.
Have you ever tried skydiving? I want to do it before I turn forty.
¿Has probado el paracaidismo? Quiero hacerlo antes de cumplir cuarenta.
She tried on the dress but it did not fit well.
Ella se probo el vestido pero no le quedo bien.
To perceive the flavor of something. As a noun: the flavor itself or the capacity to appreciate good taste.
Taste this soup and tell me if it needs more salt.
Prueba esta sopa y dimela si necesita mas sal.
The wine tastes slightly fruity with hints of oak.
El vino tiene un sabor ligeramente afrutado con toques de roble.
She has excellent taste in interior design. Her apartment is stunning.
Ella tiene un gusto excelente en diseno de interiores. Su apartamento es impresionante.
Common mistake
Using "taste" when you mean someone tries something new for the first time: "You should taste sushi if you visit Japan" works, but "You should try sushi" is more natural for an experience recommendation. "Taste" focuses on the flavor itself: "Taste this and tell me what you think" (flavor evaluation). "Try" focuses on the experience: "Try this restaurant" (the full experience, not just the flavor).
Trick to remember it
Question: are you focusing on the flavor specifically? "Taste". Are you focusing on the experience of trying something new? "Try". To ask for a flavor opinion: "Taste this — what do you think?" To recommend a new experience: "Try this!" When "taste" is a noun it means flavor or aesthetic sense — "try" as a noun means an attempt: "give it a try".
Quick rule
Try = sample for the first time / attempt (experience). Taste = sample to evaluate flavor / have a flavor.
Did you know?
"Taste" as a sense is one of the five traditional senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste. In English, the physical sense of taste and aesthetic "good taste" are the same word — just like in Spanish ("tiene muy buen gusto" can refer to food or fashion). This metaphor of appreciating beauty as "tasting" it exists across many languages.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
This sauce _____ amazing. What did you put in it?
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
You really should _____ Ethiopian food if you never have. It is incredible.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Try = sample for the first time / attempt (experience). Taste = sample to evaluate flavor / have a flavor.
Using "taste" when you mean someone tries something new for the first time: "You should taste sushi if you visit Japan" works, but "You should try sushi" is more natural for an experience recommendation. "Taste" focuses on the flavor itself: "Taste this and tell me what you think" (flavor evaluation). "Try" focuses on the experience: "Try this restaurant" (the full experience, not just the flavor).
Question: are you focusing on the flavor specifically? "Taste". Are you focusing on the experience of trying something new? "Try". To ask for a flavor opinion: "Taste this — what do you think?" To recommend a new experience: "Try this!" When "taste" is a noun it means flavor or aesthetic sense — "try" as a noun means an attempt: "give it a try".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy