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"Tratar de" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be about", and "tratarse de" is an impersonal verb which is also often translated as "to be about". Learn more about the difference between "tratar de" and "tratarse de" below.
tratar de(
trah
-
tahr
deh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to be about
Mi trabajo trata de los efectos del calentamiento global.My paper is about the effects of global warming.
b. to deal with
Esta investigación tratar de la contaminación visual en las grandes ciudades.This research deals with visual pollution in big cities.
2. (to attempt)
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.
