se trata de
/se tɾata de/from spelling rules
The English phrase "this is about" is translated into Spanish as se trata de.
The phrase se trata de is used to define the core issue, the subject of a discussion or the nature of a problem. Note that Trata de can also mean "It's about", and Se ocupa de means "It deals with".
Which one should you use?
While es sobre can be used for physical topics, se trata de is the more natural and common way to express the essence or subject matter of a situation, book or argument.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is an impersonal construction using the reflexive pronoun se, meaning it does not change based on the gender or number of the subject it refers to.
How do you pronounce it?
/se tɾata de/
Did you know?
- In legal or historical contexts, the word trata refers to the trafficking of humans, as in la trata de personas.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you say trata de… without the se, you are no longer describing a topic, but are instead giving a command to 'try to' do something.
- The word se in this phrase actually has a complex history of reanalysis. It evolved from the Old Spanish word ge, which originated from the Latin illī, and its pronunciation shifted in a way that changed its linguistic identity.
Examples in context
- No se trata de dinero o poder. Se trata de mi legado.This isn't about money or power. This is about my legacy.Tatoeba #10127534 by DJ_Saidez, translation #3922803 by Damari
- El reporte se trata de la situación económica actual.The report is about the current economic situation.
- La conferencia trata sobre el cambio climático.The conference is about climate change.
- La película es acerca de la vida en la ciudad.The movie is about city life.
- El libro va de las aventuras de un joven escritor.The book is about the adventures of a young writer.
- Se trata de una película muy antigua.It is about a very old movie.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a new documentary.
- JavierSofía, ¿has visto el nuevo documental?Sofía, have you seen the new documentary?
- SofíaNo, ¿de qué se trata?No, what is it about?
- JavierSe trata de la vida en Marte.It is about life on Mars.
- SofíaSuena muy interesante, Javier.It sounds very interesting, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, se, trata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
