What Does “Tratar de” Mean?
“Tratar de” is a common Spanish phrase that means “to try to” when followed by a verb or “to attempt to do something.” This construction always requires an infinitive verb directly after “de.” It is used to express effort, intention, or an attempt to carry out an action.
Examples of “Tratar de”
- Ella trata de aprender español todos los días. (She tries to learn Spanish every day.)
- Voy a tratar de llegar temprano. (I’m going to try to arrive early.)
- ¿Puedes tratar de entender este texto? (Can you try to understand this text?)
What Does “Tratar sobre” Mean?
“Tratar sobre” is used to indicate the topic or subject matter of something, such as a book, movie, article, or conversation. It is equivalent to “to be about” or “to deal with” in English. This phrase is followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a verb.
Examples of “Tratar sobre”
- La película trata sobre la amistad verdadera. (The movie is about true friendship.)
- Este libro trata sobre la historia de México. (This book is about the history of Mexico.)
- Nuestra conversación trató sobre el futuro del trabajo. (Our conversation was about the future of work.)
Main Differences Between “Tratar de” and “Tratar sobre”
- Tratar de + infinitive: Expresses an attempt or effort to do something.
- Tratar sobre + noun: Refers to the subject or topic of discussion, media, or writing.
Mixing up these expressions can lead to confusion or awkward sentences, so it’s important to use the correct structure.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Incorrect: El libro trata de la historia de España.
Correct: El libro trata sobre la historia de España. - Incorrect: Trato sobre estudiar más.
Correct: Trato de estudiar más.
Remember, use “tratar de” when you want to say “try to do something,” and “tratar sobre” when you refer to the topic or subject of something.
Tips for Remembering the Difference
- Associate “tratar de” with “to try to” (both have the word “to”).
- Think of “sobre” as “about” or “on the subject of,” which helps you connect “tratar sobre” with topics or content.
- Practice by creating your own sentences and checking them with a language learning tool like Talkpal for instant feedback.
Practice Exercise
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence:
- Voy a ________ terminar mi tarea antes de cenar.
(tratar de / tratar sobre) - La serie de televisión ________ la vida en la ciudad.
(trata de / trata sobre) - ¿Puedes ________ explicar esto de nuevo?
(tratar de / tratar sobre) - Su discurso ________ los desafíos del cambio climático.
(trata de / trata sobre)
Check your answers at the end of the article!
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between “tratar de” and “tratar sobre” is essential for clear and accurate communication in Spanish. Remember, “tratar de” is all about trying to do something, while “tratar sobre” is used to talk about the subject matter of something. Practice using these expressions in your daily conversations, and don’t hesitate to use tools like Talkpal to reinforce your learning. With time and consistent practice, you’ll use these phrases naturally and correctly.
Answers to Practice Exercise:
- tratar de
- trata sobre
- tratar de
- trata sobre
