What is the word "se"?

Question

I am confused about the word "se". I see it used a lot but i have no clue what it means. So what is it exactly?

Answer 1

Read the attached article by our resident language expert Lazarus then be confused no more

By the way, in the Reference Section there are also other explanations regarding the use of 'se'.

Se

great, thanks! i AM confused no more :) - CMJforever, Jul 24, 2011

excellent mate! We are so fortunate on here to have some unbelievably talented and helpful native speakers to help us. The Reference Section is a treasure chest of information! - billygoat, Jul 25, 2011

Answer 2

I'm still a beginner learning, but here's what I can think of for right now!

"Se" can be used as a reflexive object pronoun. You use it when the subject is "él/ella/usted" or "ellos/ellas/ustedes".

Se pinta las uñas cada día. She paints her nails each day.

Se lavan el pelo. They wash their hair.

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Also, when you have a direct object and indirect object that both start with "L" in a sentence, you change the indirect object to "se".

She told him it.

Think about how funny, "Le lo dijo" sounds...it's like a pronunciation rollercoaster! So, the "le" would change to "se"..."Se lo dijo".

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I also asked a question about this. Click here to see the thread.

There are no reflexive verbs in Spanish. - lazarus1907, Jul 24, 2011

¿Qué? What happened to "ducharse" and "lavarse" and "pintarse las uñas"? - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 24, 2011

They are transitive verbs with reflexive direct object pronouns. "Ducharlo" and "bañarlas" are the same verbs, but with object pronouns that are not reflexive, The only reflexive thing is the object, not the verb. - lazarus1907, Jul 24, 2011

Thanks, Lazarus. How does my answer sound now? - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 24, 2011

Much better, if you ask me, although "se" can also be an reflexive indirect object pronoun, so I'd just say "reflexive object pronoun" to include both. - lazarus1907, Jul 24, 2011

Excelente. Gracias!! - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 24, 2011

Answer 3

personal pronouns

Se is the 3d person, reflexive pronoun (singular and plural)

See the use of se as an indirect object pronoun under the section entitled "double object pronouns". (or example 4).