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"Tentar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to tempt", and "tratar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to treat". Learn more about the difference between "tentar" and "tratar" below.
tentar(
tehn
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to entice)
a. to tempt
El salario me tienta mucho, pero no me apetece nada irme a vivir a otra ciudad.I'm very tempted by the salary, but I don't feel at all like moving to another city.
a. to feel
Tenté el bolsillo para tomar mi celular, pero no estaba allí.I felt my pocket for my cell phone, but it wasn't there.
tentarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (colloquial) (to fall into temptation) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to give in to temptation
Al pasar por McDonald's, me tenté y me compré una hamburguesa.When walking past McDonald's, I gave in to temptation and bought a hamburger.
5. (colloquial) (to laugh uncontrollably) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to die laughing (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Cuando Nacho apareció con ese corte de pelo, todos nos tentamos.We all died laughing when Nacho showed up with that haircut.
b. to burst into laughter (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hace caras graciosas para que me tiente.He's making funny faces to make me burst into laughter.
tratar(
trah
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to behave)
a. to treat
Se espera que se trate con respeto a la gente mayor.It is expected that one should treat the elderly with respect.
2. (medicine)
a. to treat
Tras tratarlo con medicamentos, se le dará de alta mañana.After treating him with medication, he will be discharged tomorrow.
a. to address
Esta es otra cuestión que hay que tratar lo antes posible.This is another issue that has to be addressed as soon as possible.
4. (computing)
a. to process
En este curso aprenderán a transformar y tratar conjuntos de datos grandes.In this course you will learn to transform and process big data.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
tratarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
