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"Hablar de" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to talk about", and "tratarse de" is an impersonal verb which is often translated as "to be about". Learn more about the difference between "hablar de" and "tratarse de" below.
hablar de(
ah
-
blahr
deh
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to talk about
Siempre terminamos enojados cuando hablamos de política.We always end up upset when we talk about politics.
b. to speak about
La testigo está en estado de shock y todavía no puede hablar de lo que vio.The witness is in shock and still can't speak about what she saw.
tratarse de(
trah
-
tahr
-
seh
deh
)An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to be a question of
No se trata de saberlo todo sino de tener curiosidad.It isn't a question of knowing everything but of being curious.
