Tips 083: Tratar – How to Treat this Helpful Spanish Verb

In this week’s theoretical Spanish podcast we will explore the verb ‘tratar‘.

‘Tratar‘ can be confusing because of one particular meaning that is difficult to translate to English. But this difficult translation is very useful for asking what something is about.

There are five forms of tratar that I cover in today’s podcast:

• Tratar – This is used for how you treat something or someone.
• Tratar con – This can describe how someone is dealing with someone or something.
• Tratar de – This can be used for attempting to do something.
• Tratar de – In a different context to the previous use—this means to be about.
• Tratarse de – Also means ‘to be about’—but you can use specifically stating the subject of the sentence.

Have a listen to today’s podcast and then if you can think of other ways to use this common Spanish verb, leave a comment below.

Previous podcast episodes on common Spanish verbs:

• 3 Common Ways To Use “Llevar” In A Conversation
• 3 Spanish Phrases With The Verb ‘Poner’
• 5 Uses For The Word “Dar”
• 6 Uses for the Word “Echar”
• Quedar vs Quedarse
• 3 Spanish Phrases with the Verb ‘Caer’

Examples from this week’s theoretical podcast:

My parents treat me well – Mis padres me tratan bien.

My ex-boyfriend didn’t treat me well – Mi ex-novio no me trataba bien.

My ex-boyfriend treated me poorly – Mi ex-novio me trataba mal.

He deals with criminals / He has dealings with criminals – Él trata con los criminales.

I don’t want to deal with my boss – No quiero tratar con mi jefe.

José is trying to learn English – José trata de aprender inglés.

José is trying to learn English – José intenta aprender inglés.

I’m going to try to arrive on time – Voy a tratar de llegar a tiempo.

This book is about a small boy – Este libro trata de un niño pequeño.

What is the book about – ¿De qué trata el libro? (Of what does the book treat)

What is it about? – ¿De qué se trata?

It is about a small boy – Se trata de un niño pequeño.

How else can you use ‘tratar’ or ‘tratar de’ or ‘tratarse de’ in a conversation?

Podcast: Play in new window