Forgetting 'de'

When 'tratar' means 'to try' or 'to attempt,' it must be followed by the word 'de' before the next verb (the infinitive). Example: 'Traté de correr' (I tried to run).

Using 'de' after 'tratar'

'Traté' is the simple past form (preterite). It is used for actions that started and finished at a specific point in the past.

Preterite Tense

You can follow up 'traté' with 'pero no pude' (but I couldn't) or 'y lo logré' (and I achieved it) to complete the story.

Expressing Success/Failure

Extremely common. This is the simple past way (preterite) to say 'I tried.'

Confusing meanings

When 'tratar' means 'to treat' a person, you often need the personal 'a' before the person's name or title. Example: 'Traté a mi vecino bien' (I treated my neighbor well).

Using 'a' for people

When 'tratar' means 'to deal with' or 'to address' a non-person topic (like a problem or issue), you generally don't use a preposition. Example: 'Traté el tema' (I dealt with the topic).

No Preposition for Issues

If you want to say 'I treated him like a friend,' use 'como': 'Lo traté como a un amigo'.

Formal vs. Informal

Very common when describing how one behaved toward or managed a person or situation in the past.

Learn the meaning and conjugation of the Spanish word 'traté' (I tried, I treated). Find examples and essential tips for using the 'yo' preterite form of the verb 'tratar'.

traté

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations