The espression "Se Vende". How is this reflexive expression translated and why?
The expression does not seem to reflect back on itself as one would expect. The "For Sale" sign has always facinated me and I have never been able to understand how its meaning is derived
5 Answers
Se has other uses. This is not a reflexive use of se. You can browse the answer section (Search button) and you will find several threads on the subject.
In this case it´s an impersonal se
Another example:
En ese restaurante, se come muy bien.
The expression does not seem to reflect back on itself as one would expect.
As one would expect... if "se" was only used with as a reflexive meaning. Unfortunately for you, it is not. The first thing they should teach people about Spanish is that "se" is only reflexive sometimes. The rest of the time it modifies the verb in many different ways that don't have a direct translation in English.
Well, it's not really reflexive, because it does not mean that "this whatever is selling itself". Rather, this is being put on sale by some unnamed entity. "Esto se vende" - this is being sold. The expression and the translation are both idiomatic: "Se vende" - "For sale".
If you think about it, "For Sale" by itself does not make a whole lot of sense, either. You need to learn that it meas that something is being offered to be sold for money.
If it were a reflexive use (rather than impersonal), it would most likely be referring to passive-reflexive or the "passive se" over the use of Ser+Past Participle form of passive voice. (what the article below calls the actual passive)
Es vendidio por....it is sold by (the actual passive voice).
Se vende....it is sold ( The reflexive passive form. I never really understood the reflexive meaning of this form of passive voice about selling itself).
Try this article:
If the "doer" is not specified, we will not use the actual "passive" form of the sentence in Spanish. We will use another form, the "reflexive".
Once you get a grip on not mentioning the agent or doer, you will better understand the se construction that shifts the blame from the agent to the object. (e.g. olvidarse)
"Se Vende" means "For Sale" i believe this is the right translation like "Se Vende Por EL Dueno" means For Sale By Owner" in spanish there are different translations . so if some told me in spanish " se vende esta casas" i would translate it this house is "For Sale" of if some one told me " for sale by owner" it would be "Se Vende Por EL Dueno " this is easier spelling and easy to remember.
