trato
/TRAH-toh/
deal
A handshake symbolizes a sealed trato (deal or agreement).
trato(Noun)
deal
?an agreement or pact
agreement
?a mutual understanding
,pact
?a formal agreement
📝 In Action
Tenemos un trato. No le diré a nadie.
A2We have a deal. I won't tell anyone.
Cerraron el trato con un apretón de manos.
B1They sealed the deal with a handshake.
Parte del trato es que tú laves los platos.
B1Part of the agreement is that you wash the dishes.
⭐ Usage Tips
Making a Deal
The phrase 'hacer un trato' (to make a deal) is your go-to for creating agreements. If you want to say 'It's a deal!' after agreeing on something, you can simply say '¡Trato hecho!'
The generous and gentle interaction visualizes trato meaning 'treatment' or 'manner of interaction.'
trato(Noun)
treatment
?the way you behave towards someone
manner
?way of interacting
,handling
?management of a person or situation
📝 In Action
El hotel es conocido por su buen trato a los huéspedes.
B1The hotel is known for its good treatment of guests.
No me gusta el trato que me da tu hermano.
B1I don't like the way your brother treats me.
Es una persona de trato fácil y agradable.
B2He is an easy-going and pleasant person (to deal with).
❌ Common Pitfalls
`trato` vs. `tratamiento`
Mistake: "Quiero un trato para mi dolor de espalda."
Correction: Quiero un tratamiento para mi dolor de espalda. 'Trato' is for how people interact with each other. 'Tratamiento' is for medical procedures, processes, or therapies.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About People
Use 'trato' to describe your relationship or interactions with someone. For example, 'Tenemos un trato cordial' means 'We have a friendly relationship.'
The action of attempting a task visualizes trato as the verb form meaning 'I try' (from tratar de).
trato(Verb)
I try
?from 'tratar de', to attempt
,I treat
?from 'tratar', to behave towards someone
I handle
?to manage a situation or person
,I address
?to call someone by a certain title (e.g., 'usted')
📝 In Action
Yo trato de aprender algo nuevo cada día.
A1I try to learn something new every day.
Siempre trato a mis amigos con respeto.
A2I always treat my friends with respect.
Lo trato de 'usted' porque es mi jefe.
B1I address him with the formal 'you' because he is my boss.
💡 Grammar Points
How to Say 'To Try To'
This is a super useful structure: 'tratar de' + the basic form of a verb (like 'hablar', 'comer', 'vivir'). For example, 'Trato de comer más verduras' means 'I try to eat more vegetables.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'de'
Mistake: "Yo trato aprender español."
Correction: Yo trato de aprender español. When you mean 'to try to do something', you almost always need that little word 'de' after 'tratar'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: trato
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence means 'I try to be patient'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between 'trato' and 'tratamiento'?
Think of it this way: 'trato' is usually about how people interact with each other (like customer service or a friendly deal). 'Tratamiento' is more about a formal process or procedure, like a medical treatment, a water treatment plan, or data processing.
Can 'trato' mean 'I deal with'?
Yes, but it's more common to use the verb 'lidiar con' for 'to deal with' a problem. However, you can say 'Yo trato con muchos clientes' to mean 'I deal with many clients' in a business context.