verb

tratar

try

Intentar hacer algo o intentar ayudar a alguien con un problema o situación.

Definition & meaning

The Spanish verb tratar is highly versatile and carries several meanings depending on the context and the prepositions that follow it.

To treat or behave towards someone: It describes the way a person acts toward another. For example, "tratar bien" means to treat someone well.
To try or attempt: When followed by the preposition "de" and an infinitive (tratar de + infinitive), it means to make an effort to do something.
To deal with or be about: When used in the reflexive form (tratarse de), it indicates the subject or the essence of something. It is often translated as "it is about" or "it's a matter of."
To address a subject: It refers to discussing or handling a specific topic in a speech, book, or conversation.
To trade or do business: It can mean to have commercial dealings or to trade in specific goods.
To treat medically: It refers to the application of remedies or medical care to cure a disease or patient.
To address someone with a title: It is used when using a specific form of address, such as "tratar de tú" (to use the informal "you") or "tratar de usted" (to use the formal "you").

Grammar & Word origin

The word tratar comes from the Latin verb tractare, which is the frequentative form of trahere (to pull or drag). Originally, tractare meant to touch, handle, or manage frequently. Over time, the meaning evolved from physical handling to the figurative handling of people, business, or ideas.

Grammatically, tratar is a regular verb of the first conjugation (-ar).

Tratar de + infinitive: Expresses an attempt.
Tratarse de: An impersonal reflexive construction used to identify the nature of something.
Tratar con: Indicates social or professional interaction with someone.