Tratar/ Tratar de and Tratarse de Flashcards
Tratar (algo)
with a direct object straight after the verb (i.e. with no preposition). In this case it means “to talk about/to address”.
with no preposition means “to talk about/to address
In the program they’ll talk about very interesting current issues.
En el programa tratarán temas de actualidad muy interesantes.
Lorca’s work addresses the problem of social repression of the time.
La obra de Lorca trata el problema de la represión social de la época.
“tratar de”
to express “to be about [something]”.
There is always a subject when we use it this way
The film is about a woman who has problems with alcohol.
La película trata de una mujer que tiene problemas con el alcohol.
The advertising campaign is about the effects that tobacco has on [our] health.
La campaña publicitaria trata de los efectos que tiene el tabaco en la salud.
Tratar de + infinitive
to express “to try to”.
The boy was trying to help her, but she wouldn’t let him.
El chico estaba tratando de ayudarla, pero ella no lo dejaba.
I tried to get there on time but I didn’t manage
Traté de llegar a tiempo pero no lo conseguí.
Tratarse de
“se trata de” (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.
with an infinitive or a clause with “que” = expressing an interest in something. Sometimes it also implies a “need/moral obligation”
Our help is aimed for unemployed young people. These are people who have finished their studies and haven’t found a job.
Nuestra ayuda está dirigida a jóvenes sin empleo. Se trata de personas que han acabado sus estudios y no han encontrado trabajo.
Our help is aimed for unemployed young people. These are people who have finished their studies and haven’t found a job.
Nuestra ayuda está dirigida a jóvenes sin empleo. Estas son personas que han acabado sus estudios y no han encontrado trabajo.
We are very welcoming in our club. It is necessary to help those who need more of a social life.
En nuestro club somos muy abiertos. Se trata de ayudar a los que necesitan más vida social.
It’s all about us getting together to have a good time.
Se trata de que nos reunamos para pasar un buen rato.
It wasn’t all about (there was no need) always winning first prize but having fun when taking part.
No se trataba de ganar siempre el primer premio sino de divertirse al participar.
