Passive voice using 'se'

Question

I know, in Spanish, you can express a passive voice using the 'se' construction. In that case, how do you say the 'by~' said in English? In other words, how do you add the agent of the action?

For example, [The cup was broken = La taza se ropmio]

But, what about [The cup was broken BY MY BROTHER = La taze se rompio POR MI HERMANO]

because [by = por]

?????????? am I right?

Answer 1

I believe to use the passive voice including the agent, you must use the passive voice construction of ser + past participle + por (this is another way besides passive se to construct passive sentences).

For example, la taza fue roto por mi hermano = The cup was broken by my brother.

You are right that por can be used to mean "by".

Also, se le rompió la tetera would keep your sentence similar but is used for accidents since "the cup broke on him" does not put blame on him.

*rota* - Deanski, Aug 12, 2011

Answer 2

I found this..Link

Rule: in passive constructions

Model: El libro fue escrito por Octavio Paz.

(The book was written by Octavio Paz.)

Based on this you can confidently say...

La taza fue rota por mi hermano.

So Bafalck's answer is very right.

I think you need the past participle there, not gerund. "Roto" instead of "rompiendo". - NickDan, Aug 12, 2011

oops, you're right. Thanks. - SpanishPal, Aug 12, 2011

Nice. Thanks for the confirmation. - bafalck, Aug 12, 2011

*rota* - Deanski, Aug 12, 2011

I wonder if anyone is reading your "rotas," Deanski? ;) - territurtle, Aug 13, 2011

Thanks, Deanski - SpanishPal, Aug 13, 2011

Answer 3

Here's what Paralee says in the video lesson....

Rompí la tetera = I broke the teapot

Se me rompió la tetera = the teapot broke on me (less responsibility). Here 'la tetera is the subject thus rompió is used.

You can say....

Se le rompió la tetera a mi hermano = the teapot broke on my brother.

And remember in Spanish the passive voice in not used a lot as in English, so I'd say

Mi hermano rompió la tetera.

Edit:

I'm not sure about this but 'por' could be used here to mean 'because of'

La tetera rompió por mi hermano = the teapot broke because of my brother.

Let's see what the experts will say about the last sentence