Spanish verb Tratar/ Tratar de and Tratarse de

There is often confusion about how to use the verb tratar. It is a very versatile verb in Spanish and depending on how and in what context it is used it has different meanings.

Here are some of the most common uses of tratar:

Tratar (algo)

The verb tratar can be used as a transitive verb with a direct object straight after the verb (i.e. with no preposition). In this case it means "to talk about/to address".

For example:

Used in this same way, "tratar" can also refer to "treating/curing an illness or a health problem". For example:

Tratar de

• We can use "tratar de" to express "to be about [something]". There is always a subject when we use it this way; for example:

In these examples the subjects in the sentence are la película and la campaña publicitaria respectively.

Tratar de + infinitive

• We can also use "tratar de" followed by an infinitive to express "to try to". For example:

 You must remember to use the preposition "de" in this case.

Tratarse de

We use "se trata de" (pronominal verb with se followed by the preposition "de") as an impersonal sentence.  In this context the verb is always in the 3rd person singular (trata, trataba etc., but not tratan, trataban etc.). This usage can have slightly different meanings:

• "ser" (to be); referring to something that was mentioned previously. 

For example:

This same sentence using "ser":

Here, "se trata de" is referring to "jóvenes sin empleo" from the previous sentence. Se trata de... is giving extra information about "them".

•  Se trata de + an infinitive or a clause with "que" = expressing an interest in something. Sometimes it also implies a "need/moral obligation". For example: