Tratar de – Tried To

Was it a single attempt or an Ongoing Attempt?

“Intento…” = I try (a specific attempt)

This is more literal: you try something right now, at this moment, in a single attempt.

Intento abrir la puerta.  (I’m trying to open the door right now.)

“Trato de…” = I make an effort to… / I try (as a habit)

It’s about ongoing effort, a habit, a thing you’re consciously working on.

La mayoría del tiempo, trato de cuidar mi alimentación.
= Most of the time, I try to watch my diet / I make an effort to eat well.

So if you switch out ‘tried’ for ‘make an effort’ you end up with trater de.

More use cases for “tratar de”

Trato de comer mejor entre semana.
I try to eat better during the week.

Trato de dormir ocho horas, pero casi nunca puedo.
I try to sleep eight hours, but I almost never can.

Trato de no estresarme tanto.
I try not to stress so much.

Trato de hacer ejercicio en las mañanas.
I try to work out in the mornings.

Trato de ahorrar, aunque a veces está difícil.
I try to save money, even though it’s hard sometimes.

Trato de entender, pero explícamelo otra vez.
I’m trying to understand, but explain it again.

Trato de hablar más español cuando puedo.
I try to speak more Spanish when I can.

Trato de llegar temprano, pero el tráfico no ayuda.
I try to arrive early, but the traffic doesn’t help.

Trato de no tomar tanta cafeína en la tarde.
I try not to drink so much caffeine in the afternoon.

Trato de ser paciente, pero hoy sí me cuesta.
I try to be patient, but today it’s hard.

Common natural patterns with “tratar de”

Here are structures native speakers use all the time — they anchor the verb in real speech.

Tratar de + no + infinitive

Try not to…

• Trato de no gritarle al tráfico.
  I try not to yell at traffic.
  

Tratar de + siempre/casi siempre/a veces

Add frequency — makes it feel like a habit.

• Casi siempre trato de contestar rápido.
  I almost always try to reply fast.
  

Tratar de + a ver si…

Try (and let’s see if…)

• Voy a tratar de terminarlo hoy, a ver si puedo.
  I’ll try to finish it today, let’s see if I can.
  

“A ver, trata de…” (spoken instruction)

Very common in conversation.

• A ver, trata de respirar profundo.
  Ok, try taking a deep breath.

A ver…
This is not “to see.”
Here it works like:

• “Okay, let’s see…”
• “Alright…”
• “Okay, let’s try this…”
• “Alright, go ahead…”

These patterns help you sound native, not just “be correct.”

How Trater de shows up in the Subjunctive

Trater de is not a subjunctive trigger.
It normally shows up conjugated in the subjunctive

Me da gusto que trates de ayudar.
It makes me happy that you’re trying to help.

Espero que trates de llamarme mañana.
I hope you try to call me tomorrow.

• Voy a intentar llamarte mañana.
  → I’ll try to call you tomorrow. (one attempt)
  
• Voy a tratar de llamarte mañana.
  → I’ll make an effort to call you tomorrow. (more intention, trying)
  

No creo que traten de engañarte.
I don’t think they’re trying to trick you.

Quiero que trates de descansar un poco.
I want you to try to rest a little.

Te recomiendo que trates de relajarte.
I recommend that you try to relax.