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tratar means to try / to treat — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 5, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

tratar

verb • /[trah-TAR]/

to try / to treat

Example:

Voy a tratar de hacerlo hoy.

I’ll try to do it today.

🧠 What does tratar mean?

The verb 'tratar' is a versatile and common word with two primary meanings. First, when followed by the preposition 'de' and an infinitive verb (tratar de + infinitivo), it means 'to try' or 'to attempt'. Second, when used with a direct object, it means 'to treat' or 'to handle'. This can refer to treating a person in a certain way, treating a medical condition, or addressing a topic or subject. Additionally, the pronominal form 'tratarse de' means 'to be about' or 'to be a matter of'.

📚 Extra examples

  • Voy a tratar de terminar el informe antes del viernes.
    I am going to try to finish the report before Friday.
  • Es importante tratar a los demás con amabilidad y respeto.
    It is important to treat others with kindness and respect.
  • El médico trata la infección con antibióticos.
    The doctor treats the infection with antibiotics.
  • El documental trata sobre el cambio climático.
    The documentary is about climate change.
  • No se trata de ganar, sino de participar.
    It's not about winning, but about participating.

💡 Did You Know?

A key distinction for learners is between 'tratar de' and 'tratarse de'. 'Tratar de' + infinitive means 'to try to do' something (e.g., 'Trato de entender' - 'I try to understand'). 'Tratarse de', on the other hand, means 'to be about' and is used to explain the subject of a book, film, or situation (e.g., 'La película se trata de un viaje' - 'The movie is about a journey').

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tratar"

Synonyms: intentar, procurar, atender, manejar, abordar
Opposites: maltratar, descuidar, ignorar, rendirse, desistir

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to try / to treat' in Spanish?
The Spanish verb for 'to try to do something' is 'tratar de', and for 'to treat' (a person, illness, or topic) is 'tratar'.
How do you pronounce 'tratar' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is /tɾaˈtaɾ/. It has two syllables: 'tra-TAR', with the stress on the final syllable.
How do you use 'tratar' in a sentence?
For 'to try', one can say, 'Trata de escuchar con atención.' (Try to listen carefully). For 'to treat', one could say, 'El artículo trata un tema complejo.' (The article treats a complex topic).
What is the English translation of 'tratar'?
The English translation is 'to try' (when used as 'tratar de') or 'to treat' (when referring to people, subjects, or illnesses).
Does 'tratar' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'tratar' does not change for gender. It is conjugated for person and number to agree with the subject (e.g., yo trato, nosotros tratamos).
Is 'tratar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'tratar' is a very common and essential verb used frequently in both spoken and written Spanish.
Does 'tratar' have slang or double meanings?
It does not have common slang meanings. The main challenge for learners is distinguishing its standard uses: 'tratar de' (to try), 'tratar' (to treat), and 'tratarse de' (to be about).
Is 'tratar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meanings of 'tratar' are consistent across all Spanish-speaking regions. 'Intentar' is a common synonym for 'tratar de' (to try) and is used interchangeably in many contexts.
How do you conjugate 'tratar' in Spanish?
'Tratar' is a regular -ar verb. In the present indicative tense, it is conjugated as: yo trato, tú tratas, él/ella/usted trata, nosotros tratamos, vosotros tratáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes tratan.

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