Se dicen vs Se dice

Question

This seems rather obvious, but I am making sure of it: what is the difference between "se dice" and "se dicen" ??

Doesn't it have to do with the number of things you are talking about?? For example, "Se dicen que estas cosas son buenas".... as opposed to "Se dice que eso era bueno"

Answer 1

I beg to disagree with Eddy. "Se dice" is an example of the passive/impersonal se construction.

Your examples, kelar, are not comparable to each other:

Se dicen que estas cosas son buenas. = They are telling each other that these things are good. (This form is reflexive.)

Se dice que eso era bueno. = It is said that that was good. (This is impersonal.)

There is a passive se construction, though, that agrees with the number of the object & subject.

Ex: Se vende computadora. Se hablan español e inglés aquí. The object & the subject are the same, "computadora" and "español e inglés", respectively.

The other construction uses the 3rd person plural + que.

Using your own example: Dicen que estas cosas son buenas. They say that these things are good.

That said, you cannot use "se dicen que" to express the passive voice.

hmm thanks, very helpful...obviously you can see that I need help in this area! - kelar, Mar 10, 2011

You're welcome. The line between impersonal & passive is quite blurred, though; don't tire yourself with identifying which is which, what's important is to know how & when to use them - Deanski, Mar 10, 2011

And, so in other words, is "se dicen" used at all?? the confusion started because I saw people saying that....but they could beginners. - kelar, Mar 11, 2011

Answer 2

No, it is referring to whom is doing the "saying", ie, a single person or more than one person. It has nothing to do with wether the item they are talking about is singular or plural.

Se dice - One says

Dicen - They say

Edited: 18:28

whether - pesta, Mar 10, 2011

Qué error más fundamental, y en inglés, jeje.l - Eddy, Mar 10, 2011

referring to who is doing the "saying" - also fundamental? :-) - babs_irish, Mar 10, 2011

Answer 3

It depends on whether the phrase indicates passive voice or an impersonal or unknown subject.

For example, se abren las ventanas is passive voice = the windows are open. In that case, since ventanas is plural, the verb is plural.

The impersonal se is similar to what we say in English when we speak about "they" but we don't have anyone particular in mind. Se habla español en esta tienda.