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"Tratar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to treat", and "tratarse de" is an impersonal verb which is often translated as "to be about". Learn more about the difference between "tratar" and "tratarse de" below.
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.).
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.
