trattare

Trattare is a versatile Italian verb with meanings centered on handling, dealing with, or treating something or someone. It can refer to physically handling a person or object, managing a situation, processing materials, or addressing a subject or disease. The sense is often determined by the accompanying preposition or object.

Common uses include treating someone well or poorly (tratta bene i suoi ospiti, she treats her guests well), negotiating with someone (trattare con qualcuno, to negotiate with someone; trattare un prezzo, to bargain over a price), and discussing or handling a topic (si tratta di una questione, this is a matter; questo libro tratta di storia). It also covers medical or technical treatment (trattare una malattia, to treat a disease; trattare un metallo con acido, to treat a metal with acid).

Grammar and usage notes: trattare is a regular -are verb. The present indicative forms are io trato, tu tratti, lui/lei tratta, noi trattiamo, voi trattate, loro trattano. The past participle is trattato, used with avere to form the passato prossimo (ho trattato, hai trattato, ha trattato). The verb is also used in fixed expressions such as si tratta di (it is about; this concerns). With nouns or pronouns, common constructions include trattare qualcuno con rispetto (to treat someone with respect) and trattare di qualcosa (to discuss something). The reflexive or impersonal form si tratta is widely used to introduce topics or issues.

Etymology traces to Latin tractare, related to handling or dealing with; modern Italian retains the core sense of managing, treating, or negotiating.