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"Sobre" is a preposition which is often translated as "on", and "trata de" is a phrase which is often translated as "it's about". Learn more about the difference between "sobre" and "trata de" below.
sobre(
soh
-
breh
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
5. (cover)
a. envelope
Abrió rápidamente el sobre y sacó la carta de su interior.He tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.
6. (colloquial) (bed) (Argentina) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in Spain
a. sack (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
En cuanto llegué, me metí en el sobre.As soon as I arrived, I hit the sack.
a. clutch bag
Necesito un sobre que combine con mis zapatos plateados.I need a clutch bag to match my silver shoes.
b. clutch
Mariela suele llevar un sobre cuando asiste a una boda.Mariela usually carries a clutch when she attends a wedding.
trata de(
trah
-
tah
deh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. it's about
La novela es muy interesante. Trata de una familia de trabajadores migrantes.The novel's really interesting. It's about a family of migrant workers.
a. he tries to
Ten cuidado con Marcelo. Si trata de convencerte de que le prestes dinero, no lo hagas.Be careful with Marcelo. If he tries to persuade you to lend him money, don't.
b. she tries to
Marta siempre llega tarde. Trata de levantarse temprano, pero en vano.Marta is always late. She tries to get up early, but to no avail.
c. it tries to
El artículo es interesante. Trata de argumentar en favor del aumento de la ayuda extranjera.The paper is interesting. It tries to make a case for an increase in foreign aid.
3. (formal) (make an attempt; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you're trying to
Si usted trata de decirme que quiere renunciar, dígalo.If you're trying to tell me that you want to resign, then say so.
b. you try to
¿Y si trata de ser agradable con ella?¿No ayudaría?What if you try to be nice to her? Wouldn't that help?
4. (informal) (imperative)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
a. trafficking in
Es increíble que la trata de blancas sea un problema tan grave en el siglo XXI.It's unbelievable that trafficking in women is such a serious problem in the 21st century.
