tratar
verb
1. to treat + a; tratar a alguien de tú/usted
behave toward someone
Common combinations
- tratar bien — treat well
- tratar mal — treat badly
- tratar de usted — address someone formally
- El médico trata bien a sus pacientes.The doctor treats his patients well.
- En esta oficina nos tratan de usted.At this office they address us formally.
- No trates mal a tu hermano.Don't treat your brother badly.
2. to discuss, to address
discuss or consider a matter
Common combinations
- tratar un problema — discuss a problem
- tratar un tema — discuss a topic
- tratar una cuestión — address an issue
- Hoy trataremos el problema en clase.Today we will discuss the problem in class.
- La reunión trató varios temas importantes.The meeting addressed several important topics.
- Este artículo trata la cuestión del trabajo.This article addresses the issue of work.
3. to be about, to deal with tratar de; tratar sobre
have something as its subject
Common combinations
- tratar de amor — be about love
- tratar sobre la vida — be about life
- tratar de un problema — be about a problem
- La película trata de una familia.The film is about a family.
- El libro trata sobre la vida en el campo.The book is about life in the countryside.
- ¿De qué trata esta canción?What is this song about?
4. to try, to attempt tratar de + infinitivo
try to do something
Common combinations
- tratar de ayudar — try to help
- tratar de entender — try to understand
- tratar de evitar — try to avoid
- Trato de llegar temprano.I try to arrive early.
- Ella trató de abrir la puerta.She tried to open the door.
- Tenemos que tratar de entenderlo.We have to try to understand it.
5. to treat
give medical treatment
Common combinations
- tratar una enfermedad — treat an illness
- tratar una herida — treat a wound
- tratar con antibióticos — treat with antibiotics
- El médico trata la infección con antibióticos.The doctor treats the infection with antibiotics.
- Hay que tratar la herida.The wound must be treated.
- Este medicamento trata el dolor.This medicine treats pain.
6. to deal with, to have dealings with + con
have contact or business with someone
Common combinations
- tratar con clientes — deal with clients
- tratar con proveedores — deal with suppliers
- tratar con cuidado — handle with care
- Trabajo con clientes y trato con proveedores.I work with clients and deal with suppliers.
- Es difícil tratar con él.He is difficult to deal with.
- La empresa trata con muchos países.The company does business with many countries.
Same root
Phrases with this word