Sentence of the day - trata sobre

Question

Este libro trata sobre un joven mago.

This book is about a young wizard.

Ok let us learn: Since trata is the verb meaning "to be about" and sobre means "about" could you write the above sentence differently?

Este libro trata un joven mago.

                  or   

Este libro es sobre un joven mago.

Sentences are the best learning tool.

Answer 1

I would have to disagree with the above answer. In the context of the original question, I believe that "tratar" is the correct verb. "Tratarse" is used to describe forming a friendship/relationship with someone.

Just to clarify, I was commenting regarding jeezzle's post- thanks - Sheily, JUL 8, 2010

But I guess we'll see ;) - jeezzle, JUL 8, 2010

Hey, jeezzle, I'm really sorry, I had no bad intention really! Just getting used to this site, and I honestly meant no harm. Le pido perdon! I wrote in a sort of debating way, if you know what I mean, but I understand better now, thanks! - Sheily, JUL 8, 2010

No problems I'm just playing :) - jeezzle, JUL 8, 2010

No it's tratarse. My spanish friend uses it talking to me if I'll mention a book or a movie or something. He'll ask "De qué se trata?" - socceryo3, JUL 9, 2010

Answer 2

Este libro se trata de un joven mago. Este libro se trata sobre un joven mago.

The verb is tratarSE. You can use either de or sobre with it.

"El libro se trata", para mí suena como "el trato que el libro se da a sí mismo". Por los resultados encontrados, Linguee parece sugerir que "El libro trata sobre ~" (sin el reflexivo "se") es lo correcto. - arnotixe, OCT 2, 2015

Answer 3

Well, let's see. Jeezle says:

The verb is tratarSE. You can use either de or sobre with it.

Sheily argues that:

I would have to disagree with the above answer. In the context of the original question, I believe that "tratar" is the correct verb. "Tratarse" is used to describe forming a friendship/relationship with someone.

The RAE offers (among others), these two options:

tratar.

(Del lat. tract?re).

1. tr. Comunicar, relacionarse con un individuo. U. t. c. intr. y c. prnl. Tratarse CON los vecinos.

2. tr. Conferir, discurrir o disputar de palabra o por escrito sobre un asunto. U. t. c. intr. Tratar de algo, sobre algo, acerca de algo.

So, in principle, both assertions have merit. However, the fact is that you have stumbled upon a rather controversial subject, as can be determined from this thread on Word Reference. I consider myself below the level of academia required to have an opinion worthy of consideration in that argument.

For those with a deeper academic interest, that same thread makes reference to this entry in the RAE's Diccionarion Panhispánico de Dudas, which technically should be taken as the definite answer on the subject.

This is somewhat disturbing, because it means that I (and most people I know) use the verb "tratar"incorrectly. It would indicate, however, that Sheily is in fact correct.

So please send the lady a lavish apology and a pretty bouquet of her favorite flowers, Jeezzle.

Tienes razón, voté por ella. Me parece que ambos son correctos pero El usuario típico, en mi opinión, tal vez, prefería usar tratarse. Gracias amigo. - jeezzle, JUL 9, 2010

Answer 4

I believe it should be: este libro trata sobre un joven mago.

Gracias Shelly, the original sentence is correct as written from my sentence flashcard site. I was only questioning why "about{verb}, about{prep}? - foxluv, JUL 9, 2010

Since the sentence is not asking of a person, I would have to agree on not using the reflexsive form. If, as Jeezzle said her friend is asking "her" opinion then yes it is reflexsive. - foxluv, JUL 9, 2010

Answer 5

I would like to return to this question and get some native answers. I believe my answer is correct but I'm open to the possibilty that "tratarse" is for opinions on things and "tratar" is just to be about when no one is refering an item. However, that stands in disagreement with at least a couple of courses that I have taken.

Answer 6

Or you could say, perhaps: Este libro cuenta la historia de un joven mago: This book tells the story of a young magician/wizard.

Answer 7

Este libro es acerca de un joven mago. O. En este libro, el argumento da cuenta de la vida y los viajes de un joven mago.