a few questions!

Question

Hey guys- sorry ive got a few questios to ask all at once:

1) Ive learnt that you use "u" instead of "o" if it comes before a word that starts with an 'o' sound e.g No recuerdo si fue ayer u hoy- does this change the pronounciation when you say it?

2) ive noticed that alot of times in spanish it says verbs with "se" before it- but not just with reflexive verbs. e.g. "Se trata de uno de los platos más populares en la cocina inglesa"- it is consided one of the most popular dishes in english cuisine?

ive read that "se" can be used to imply the passive like "the book was written" "el libro fue escrito" or "se ecribió el libro" is this right?

another usage of "se" ive heard is to say something like "one can buy shoes at the market" "se puede comprar zapatos en el mercado" is this right? so when your talking about 'you' in general rather than just the person your saying it to.

sorry for all the questions- i hope you can understand everything!

Thanks in advance

Hi, Ralph. Welcome to the forum. Because we have students learning English, we ask that you use correct punctuation and capitalization in your posts. Thanks! - --Mariana--, Mar 21, 2012

Answer 1

"Se" is a very useful word in Spanish, and as you've seen, can pop up just about anywhere.

The "impersonal se" is used when the subject doing the action doesn't really matter to us, e.g., se vende helado aquí (Ice cream is sold here / They sell ice cream here)

I haven't seen "se" used like this: "se ecribió el libro." I'll have to look that one up.

I've learnt that you use "u" instead of "o"

Yes, that's correct.

lazarus1907

The rule is straightforward:

You use e instead of y, when the next word begins with an "i" sound: "...e imitar", "...e histérico". You use u instead of o, when the next word begins with an "o" sound: "...u ondulado", "...u hondo".

Obviosuly, the "h" doesn't count. We are just trying to avoid saying "i i" or "o o".

Answer 2

1) Yes. Each word souds different. We also change the conjunction "y" (and) to "e" when the next word starts with i or hi (madres e hijos; Juan e Ismael). And this words also sound different. 2) -Yes - Yes - No. "Se puede comprar zapatos en el mercado" would be "shoes can be bought in the supermarket". "One can buy shoes at the market" it's "uno puede comprar zapatos en el mercado". Speaking in general to "you", we conjugate in the second person singular, present tense "puedes ir a la playa cuando quieras" (you can go to the beach whenever you like) "Usted puede esperar aquí" (you (formal) can wait here)