Functions of ''se''

Question

How to use se and what is the translation of se?

Which is the Translation of se = they,it,one ?

Se casaron (they married each other)

Se habla español aqui (some1 speak spanish here)

Se paga en la caja.

Se esta muy mal.

Se sabe que la contaminacion.

Explain me in such a way that from now on when ever i see ''se'' i know what it is and what ''se'' translation is?

This is my #1 issue in Spanish after these 5.7 months. The subjunctive seems a bit simpler. - sinsonte, May 27, 2012

Great question. I´m working on 3 things (besides general practice) in the summer between classes -- por vs para, preterito, y use of ´se´ So far, I´ve only worked on P vs P, so thanks for kickstarting my efforts! - rogspax, May 27, 2012

You should turn this into a "Practice" gamer where we each give you an example of how to use "se" in a sentence! - --Mariana--, May 28, 2012

Good idea Mariana! - t1funnyface, May 28, 2012

Answer 1

I hope that this lesson may provide a little light on the subject but be prepared it's a pretty indepth look at 'se' and its uses

Great lesson - thanks! - rogspax, May 27, 2012

You're welcome :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 27, 2012

Jajajajaaaaaj .....¿cómo se llama? - sinsonte, May 28, 2012

Love it!! - --Mariana--, May 28, 2012

:) - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

Answer 2

"Se" es la forma impersonal... French language is similar in this case.

Se habla español = On parle espagnol = We speak Spanish.

In general these sentences are very short and you can see them hanged in walls, in doors of the shops.... They usually are signs

Se necesita camarero = We need a waiter

In this case, it's noticed a vacancy for a job.

Perdón pero estás equivocado. "Se habla Español" .... "Spanish is spoken" not "We speak ..." "Nosotros/we" no es impersonal como "Se" - 005faa61, May 27, 2012

Mira el post más abajo - josemaloru, May 28, 2012

Answer 3

I just found this link too that might prove useful - it is in Spanish though

Usos de se

Answer 4

I'm in the SE party!!! Help us out please, jaja.

I don't even know what I don't get... and probably get much of it... but I'm not sure... So I don't know...? - sinsonte, May 27, 2012

Answer 5

O.I: Objeto Indirecto: Reemplaza a el/les en en combinación con la/las/lo/los:

E: Hace tres meses que tienes el libro de Juan! Devolverse lo hoy mismo.

Se reflexivo: El sujeto es el que lleva a cabo la acción, y también quien la recibe:

E. Carolina se está duchando.

Se reciproco: el sujeto es plural/todos los miembros del sujeto realizan y reciben la acción:

E. Ricardo y Maria se quieren.

Verbos reflexivos: pronombre en la misma palabra:

E: Nadie tiene que entrarse del tema, o Se llama Juan

Se impersonal y passivo: no es realmente impersonal/ se supone que hay gente que realiza la acción:

E. Se atiende al publico de 9 a 14 horas

Hey, 201, welcome to the forum! - --Mariana--, May 28, 2012

Thank you :) - 201286, May 28, 2012

Answer 6

Jajaja thats because you have some understanding of it but not 100 % clear understanding of it

Yea, sometimes it seems a bit ambiguous. I don't know what tips you off about exactly what you're reading when you read it. 'One sells' 'etc is sold' ...etc - sinsonte, May 28, 2012

Answer 7

Julianchivi

A ver, "SE" es la forma impersonal EN ESPAÑOL. I'm sure AT ALL. En español es la 3ª persona del singular, pero en francés es la 1ª persona del plural (ON).

Se vende casa = We sell this house = For sale

Se alquila = .... For rent

Now, in English, how do you say "We need a waiter"?

Maybe: A waiter is needed?

If so, you use the passive voice in English

You'd say.... we need a waiter. - sinsonte, May 28, 2012

So, you only use the passive voice in certain cases "Spanish is spoken". In Spanish in both cases we use "el impersonal SE": "Se habla español", "Se necesita camarero". Thanks - josemaloru, May 28, 2012

Answer 8

Yea, sometimes it seems a bit ambiguous. I don't know what tips you off about exactly what you're reading when you read it. 'One sells' 'etc is sold' ...etc - sinsonte

I agree that the difference between the impersonal and the passive se is often hard to work out and there may at times even be an overlap. (see my last examples)

One tip is that the impersonal se only ever uses the third person singular and the doer of the action isn't mentioned. So if the verb is in the plural it can't be the impersonal se.

¿Se puede nadar en el mar aquí? Can you swim in the sea here? / Can one swim in the sea here?

• and it wouldn't make sense to mention an agent.

¿Se puede nadar Juan en el mar ...?

that would have to be just ¿Puede nadar Juan ....?

As for the passive it focuses on the action instead of the doer and the third person singular or plural is used, to match the subject.

Se venden carros usados hoy. Used cars are being sold today.

Impersonal: Se habla español en Nicaragua. They speak Spanish in Nicaragua.

• no agent mentioned

Passive: No se habla español en ese pueblo. Spanish isn't spoken in that town.

• the action is the focus

Answer 9

SON ORACIONES IMPERSONALES...

Look this Spanish grammar

Las oraciones impersonales se han caracterizado generalmente por la desfocalización o impersonalización del agente o experimentador de la acción de que se trata, y gracias a esta función se pueden usar como estrategia de cortesía con el fin de impersonalizar tanto al hablante como al oyente.

Es decir, es una manera de representar la voluntad del hablante de no imponer al oyente ninguna acción que amenace su imagen pública, describiéndola como si el agente fuera distinto al hablante mismo. Podrían definirse como tales las oraciones siguientes:

a. Se compra periódicos.

b. Se solicita meseros.

c. Se prohibe la entrada a toda persona ajena a este taller.

d. Se afirma que no hay tiempo para leer.