Inklingo

How to Say "dealing with" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tratando

/trah-TAHN-doh//tɾaˈtando/

Verb Form (Gerund)A2General
Use 'tratando' when 'dealing with' means you are trying or attempting to manage or accomplish something, often an ongoing effort.
A small, determined child pushing a large, bright blue block up a gentle green incline, symbolizing the act of trying hard to accomplish a task.

Examples

Estoy tratando de arreglar el coche.

I am dealing with trying to fix the car.

Estoy tratando de aprender español.

I'm trying to learn Spanish.

Sigue tratando, ¡casi lo tienes!

Keep trying, you almost have it!

Estamos tratando este asunto en la reunión.

We are dealing with this matter in the meeting.

The Spanish '-ing' Form

'Tratando' is what's called a gerund, which is the Spanish version of adding '-ing' to a verb. You almost always use it with a helper verb like 'estar' (to be) to describe an action that is currently in progress.

'Tratando de' = 'Trying to'

To say you are 'trying to do' something, the structure is always 'estar tratando de' + the action verb. For example, 'Estoy tratando de llamar' means 'I'm trying to call'.

Using It Without a Helper Verb

Mistake: “Yo tratando de estudiar.”

Correction: Yo estoy tratando de estudiar. Unlike in some informal English, you almost always need a helper verb like 'estoy' (I am) before the '-ando' or '-iendo' word to make a full sentence.

Forgetting 'de'

Mistake: “Estoy tratando abrir la caja.”

Correction: Estoy tratando de abrir la caja. When you are 'trying to do' an action, you need the little word 'de' to connect 'tratando' to the next verb.

actuando

ahk-TWAHN-doh/akˈtwan.do/

GerundB1General
Use 'actuando' when 'dealing with' refers to how someone or something is behaving or acting in a particular situation or context.
A simplified figure wearing a red cape running quickly and purposefully forward, symbolizing taking decisive action or intervening.

Examples

La policía está actuando con calma ante la protesta.

The police are dealing with acting calmly in the face of the protest.

La empresa está actuando de manera responsable con el medio ambiente.

The company is acting responsibly toward the environment.

El abogado estuvo actuando como mediador en el conflicto.

The lawyer was acting as a mediator in the conflict.

Action vs. State

This meaning of 'actuando' focuses on the ongoing process of intervention or decision-making, not just a temporary state.

Trying vs. Acting

Learners often confuse 'tratando' (trying to achieve or manage) with 'actuando' (behaving or performing an action). Remember, 'tratando' implies an effort to resolve or handle something, while 'actuando' describes the manner of behavior itself.

Related Translations

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