use of se confusing
As highlighted in one of your example uses of yesterdays vocabulary word torpe - you use the word se- I dont understand when se is used like this - se te cayó - could someone explain please?
2 Answers
Hi. Specifically for your example, I would see this link. Basically, what it's saying is that "you dropped (something)", but it's said in a way that makes it seem like it's not completely the person's fault; it sounds more like "it fell from you".
Here is another great link where some members explain more how this works. And here.
To sum it up, these "Se me/te/le ___" constructions help remove some of the fault or blame.
Se me rompió la televisión. >> The tv was broken (by me - my fault). I should note that this can also be translated as "The tv broke (and it affected me)"/"My tv broke"
Se te cayó el jarrón >> The vase was dropped (by you - your fault). Or better yet, it fell from you 
Se le quemó la comida >> The food was burned (by her - her fault).
Se nos olividó su cumpleaños >> Her birthday was forgotten (by us - our fault).
Se les perdió el dinero >> The money was lost (by them - their fault)
These are a lot softer than: I broke the tv; You dropped the vase; She burned the food; We forgot her birthday; They lost the money. A book I had also explained it (i.e., the use of "se" in these phrases) as a way to show that something (an accident) happened unintentionally or accidentally.
Disclaimer: I am neither biligual nor perfect. I am always open to correction.
"se" is the third thing that is being talking about. not you or me but that other thing. the car that is moving. the rain that is failing. the car que se mueve.
