Tratar Conjugation: All Spanish Tenses

Tratar (to treat, to try; tratar de + infinitive) is a very common Spanish verb and it is completely regular: it follows the -ar verb pattern in every tense.

Indicative Tenses of Tratar

Tratar in the Present (Presente)

Habits, current facts and general truths: Trato de comer mejor cada día (I try to eat better every day).

Present tense rules →

Tratar in the Preterite (Pretérito indefinido)

Completed actions at a specific moment in the past: El médico trató a varios pacientes ayer (The doctor treated several patients yesterday).

Preterite rules →

Tratar in the Present Perfect (Pretérito perfecto)

Past connected to the present: Hoy he tratado de llamarte tres veces (Today I have tried to call you three times).

Present perfect rules →

Tratar in the Imperfect (Pretérito imperfecto)

Habitual or ongoing actions in the past: De pequeño trataba siempre de ayudar en casa (As a child I always tried to help at home).

Imperfect rules →

Tratar in the Past Perfect (Pluscuamperfecto)

An action before another past action: Cuando llamé, ya habían tratado el asunto (When I called, they had already dealt with the matter).

Past perfect rules →

Tratar in the Future (Futuro simple)

Plans and predictions: Mañana trataré de terminar el informe (Tomorrow I will try to finish the report).

Future tense rules →

Tratar in the Future Perfect (Futuro perfecto)

An action that will be completed in the future: Para mañana ya habré tratado el tema con ellos (By tomorrow I will have dealt with the topic with them).

Future perfect rules →

Tratar in the Conditional (Condicional simple)

Advice and hypothetical situations: Yo trataría de hablar con ella primero (I would try to talk to her first).

Conditional rules →

Tratar in the Conditional Perfect (Condicional compuesto)

Hypotheses about the past: Habría tratado de avisarte, pero no tenía tu número (I would have tried to warn you, but I didn't have your number).

Conditional perfect rules →

Subjunctive Tenses of Tratar

Present Subjunctive of Tratar (Presente de subjuntivo)

Wishes, doubts and emotions: Quiero que trates a todos con respeto (I want you to treat everyone with respect).

Present subjunctive rules →

Present Perfect Subjunctive of Tratar (Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo)

Evaluating a recent past action: Espero que hayas tratado bien a los invitados (I hope you have treated the guests well).

Perfect subjunctive rules →

Imperfect Subjunctive of Tratar (Pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo)

Hypothetical conditions: Si trataras de estudiar más, aprobarías (If you tried to study more, you would pass).

Imperfect subjunctive rules →

Past Perfect Subjunctive of Tratar (Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)

Unreal hypotheses about the past: Si hubieras tratado de venir, te habríamos esperado (If you had tried to come, we would have waited for you).

Past perfect subjunctive rules →

Imperative of Tratar

Affirmative Commands of Tratar (Imperativo afirmativo)

Orders and requests: ¡Trata de descansar un poco! (Try to rest a little!)

Affirmative commands rules →

Negative Commands of Tratar (Imperativo negativo)

Prohibitions and negative advice: No trates así a tu hermano (Don't treat your brother like that).

Negative commands rules →

Expressions with Tratar

• Tratar de + infinitive - to try to do something (trato de mejorar - I try to improve)
• Tratarse de - to be about, to concern (se trata de dinero - it's about money)
• Tratar con alguien - to deal or negotiate with someone
• Tratar bien / mal a alguien - to treat someone well or badly
• ¿De qué se trata? - what is it about?