why is si se puede yes we can instead of si nos podemos

Question

Why is sí se puede "yes we can" instead of sí nos podemos

Answer 1

Well it's more like - yes 'one' can

And that 'one' can be you, me or anyone so it's quite useful. In English we often use 'you' when we don't actually mean you.

eg. Did you know that you can download such and such for free? Just meaning anyone can.

Answer 2

What KevinB and Kiwi_Girl said. I just wanted to point out that you can't take translations at face value. More often than not, literal translations sound inadequate in the other language, or quite simply the person in charge of the translation might have a fancy for a slightly different expression. In other words, don't make the mistake of believing that translations, even of the simplest of expressions, are exact word for word.

(by the way, the literal translation of "Yes, we can" is "Sí, podemos")

Answer 3

It's called "impersonal se". Like Kiwi Girl said, it means, "yes one can".