Inklingo

How to Say "treat" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “treat” is “trata” — use this when giving a command in the informal 'tú' form to describe how someone should act towards another person or thing..

trata🔊A2

Use this when giving a command in the informal 'tú' form to describe how someone should act towards another person or thing.

{ui.learnMore}
trate🔊A2

Use this in the subjunctive mood to express a desire or command about how someone (usted, él/ella) should behave towards another person or thing.

{ui.learnMore}
regalo🔊A1

Use this for a gift you give yourself as a special indulgence or pleasure.

{ui.learnMore}
detalle🔊B1

Use this for a small, thoughtful gesture or act of kindness given to someone else.

{ui.learnMore}
lujo🔊B1

Use this to describe something enjoyable that is a special pleasure or indulgence, often something rare or luxurious.

{ui.learnMore}
traten🔊B1

Use this in the subjunctive mood when referring to how multiple people (ustedes, ellos/ellas) should behave towards others or things.

{ui.learnMore}
banquete🔊B2

Use this to describe a feast or an abundance of something, especially something high-quality that you are enjoying immensely.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

trata

/tra-ta//ˈtɾata/

VerbA2Informal
Use this when giving a command in the informal 'tú' form to describe how someone should act towards another person or thing.
A person offering a comforting blanket and a cup of tea to another person sitting on a bench, illustrating kind treatment.

Examples

Trata bien a tu perro.

Treat your dog well.

Mi hermana me trata como a un niño.

My sister treats me like a child.

La película trata de un viaje a la luna.

The movie is about a trip to the moon.

Él trata de aprender español todos los días.

He tries to learn Spanish every day.

Two Meanings with 'de'

Pay close attention to what comes after 'trata de'. If it's another action (like 'correr', to run), it means 'tries to'. If it's a topic (like 'la guerra', the war), it means 'is about'.

Spot the 'se'

You'll often hear 'se trata de...'. This is a super useful phrase that means 'it's about...' or 'it's a matter of...'. For example, 'Se trata de ser honesto' means 'It's a matter of being honest'.

Trying Food vs. Trying to Do Something

Mistake: “Voy a tratar la paella.”

Correction: Voy a probar la paella. For trying food, drinks, or clothes, use the verb 'probar'. Use 'tratar de' when you're talking about making an attempt to do an action.

trate

TRAY-teh/ˈtɾate/

VerbA2Formal/Subjunctive
Use this in the subjunctive mood to express a desire or command about how someone (usted, él/ella) should behave towards another person or thing.
A smiling young girl kneeling down to gently pet a large, happy brown dog with a soft hand.

Examples

Espero que me trate con amabilidad.

I hope he/she treats me kindly.

Exijo que me trate con más respeto.

I demand that he/she treat me with more respect.

Trate a sus clientes como si fueran familia.

Treat your clients as if they were family. (Formal command)

Ella quiere que el doctor trate su herida con cuidado.

She wants the doctor to treat her wound carefully.

Treating People

When 'tratar' means 'to treat someone,' you almost always need the little word 'a' before the person who is receiving the treatment: 'Trate bien a su jefe' (Treat your boss well).

regalo

/rreh-GAH-loh//reˈɣa.lo/

NounA1General
Use this for a gift you give yourself as a special indulgence or pleasure.
A brightly wrapped, square gift box tied with a large red ribbon and bow, signifying a present.

Examples

Me compré un libro nuevo, ¡un pequeño regalo para mí!

I bought myself a new book, a little treat for myself!

Recibí un regalo muy bonito para mi cumpleaños.

I received a very nice gift for my birthday.

Gracias por el regalo, ¡me encanta!

Thanks for the present, I love it!

Este abrigo por veinte euros fue un verdadero regalo.

This coat for twenty euros was a real bargain.

It's a Masculine Word

Even though you give it to a man or a woman, the word 'regalo' itself is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el regalo' (the gift) or 'un regalo' (a gift).

Describing the Gift

Mistake: “Compré una regalo bonita.”

Correction: Compré un regalo bonito. Because 'regalo' is masculine, any word that describes it (like 'bonito' for 'pretty') also needs to be in its masculine form.

detalle

deh-TAH-yeh/deˈtaʎe/

NounB1General
Use this for a small, thoughtful gesture or act of kindness given to someone else.
One hand offering a single red tulip to another hand as a small, thoughtful gesture of kindness.

Examples

Fue un bonito detalle traerte café esta mañana.

It was a nice treat to bring you coffee this morning.

Tuvo un bonito detalle al traerme flores.

He made a lovely gesture by bringing me flowers.

Es un detalle, no tenías que molestarte.

It's just a small treat, you didn't have to bother.

Valoramos mucho esos pequeños detalles de hospitalidad.

We really value those little acts of hospitality.

Using 'Tener' with Detalle

Use the verb 'tener' (to have) with 'detalle' to express that someone performed a thoughtful act: 'Tuvo un detalle conmigo' (He had a thoughtful act with me = He did something nice for me).

lujo

/LOO-ho//ˈluxo/

NounB1General
Use this to describe something enjoyable that is a special pleasure or indulgence, often something rare or luxurious.
A towering, decadent chocolate ice cream sundae in a fancy glass, topped with whipped cream and a bright red cherry.

Examples

Tomarme una hora para leer es mi mayor lujo.

Taking an hour to read is my biggest treat.

Para un escritor, el silencio es un lujo.

For a writer, silence is a luxury/privilege.

Me di el lujo de dormir hasta tarde hoy.

I gave myself the treat/indulgence of sleeping in late today.

¿Trabajar cuatro días a la semana? ¡Qué lujo!

Working four days a week? What a privilege!

Using 'darse el lujo'

The phrase 'darse el lujo de...' means 'to allow yourself the treat of...' or 'to indulge in...'. The verb following 'de' is always in the base form (infinitive).

traten

/TRAH-tehn//ˈtɾaten/

VerbB1Formal/Subjunctive
Use this in the subjunctive mood when referring to how multiple people (ustedes, ellos/ellas) should behave towards others or things.
A person gently brushing a golden retriever with a soft brush.

Examples

Espero que traten bien a los clientes.

I hope they treat the customers well.

Espero que traten bien a la nueva empleada.

I hope they treat the new employee well.

No traten los libros con descuido.

Don't handle the books carelessly.

Subjunctive for Wishes

We use 'traten' (the special form) after words like 'espero que' (I hope that) to show what we want others to do.

banquete

/bahn-KEH-teh//baŋˈkete/

NounB2Figurative
Use this to describe a feast or an abundance of something, especially something high-quality that you are enjoying immensely.
A single person happily eating a large, fancy chocolate cake with many layers and decorations.

Examples

Este fin de semana me voy a dar un banquete de helado.

This weekend I'm going to treat myself to a feast of ice cream.

Me di un banquete de lectura este fin de semana.

I had a reading feast this weekend (I read a lot).

Reflexive use

When you use the phrase 'darse un banquete,' you are saying you 'gave yourself' a feast.

Verb vs. Noun Confusion

Learners often confuse the verb forms 'trata,' 'trate,' and 'traten' with the nouns 'regalo,' 'detalle,' 'lujo,' or 'banquete.' Remember, the verbs refer to the *action* of treating someone or something, while the nouns refer to the *thing* that is a treat (a gift, a pleasure, a gesture).

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.