To refer to self using a nonpronominal word

Question

describir does not have a pronominal version which uses the reflexive pronouns.

So, I think that: He described himself as easy-going. = él mismo describió como de carácter trato fácil. Does "se describió como de carácter trato fácil" say the same thing or say "he was described as easy-going" which of course is a different meaning. Thanks

Good question, lots of answers now! - annierats, Jul 24, 2012

Answer 1

I've researched the matter by looking up a dating site;

Everybody said : Me describo como buena persona, atractiva, sexy.. etc.

A few said: Me considero como...

Me defino como .. was also popular.

Nobody said anything about ' si mismas' . Or mismos, I happened to see a page of females. ( I wasn't looking for date, these people were very far away, possibly in Panama).

Very clever annie =] - DJ_Huero, Jul 24, 2012

Thanks DJ, I feel a deserve a medal, I learnt unexpected things, now I can market myself bettr, perhaps. - annierats, Jul 24, 2012

Very creative way to research the issue, Annie! Whatever the formal grammar may be, it apparently is used as a pronominal verb in common useage. Good job! - Noetol, Jul 24, 2012

It gets messier if we add gender and number to the equation, but you do have a point there! - diagonx, Jul 25, 2012

Answer 2

Se presentó como acomodadizo. ( tranquilo)

This is a sort of guess, we'll see what others think. - annierats, Jul 23, 2012

Your guesses kick a**, good one! - diagonx, Jul 23, 2012

Thanks, I think you're answer is very helpful. I was avoiding the describirse scene. I'm fond of easy options. - annierats, Jul 24, 2012

Answer 3

Describir is a transitive verb, and describirse is its pronominal form, with desribirse you indicate the subject of the verb is also the recipient of the action of the verb:

• describe: s/he/it describes
• se describe: s/he/it describes him/her/itself

cdunn3 Noetol, I share the same uncertainty and confusion. Since there isn't a pronominal form for describir, I think the SE can serve two functions - either passive or impersonal. I believe that "se describió como de carácter trato fácil" is translated "he was described as easy-going" with the SE making the sentence passive. I don't think it can be the impersonal SE because the sentence would require an indirect pronoun (le) "se le describió como de carácter trato fácil" = "one/you/someone described him as easy-going"

"Le" is used when a third, indefinite person is the one speaking about another person who's talking about ~self

• se describió como de carácter trato fácil = he described himeself as easygoing
• he was described as easy-going = se le describió como de trato fácil

Answer 4

Hey. I found this in the dictionary under "describe":

she describes herself as an artist -> se define a sí misma como artista

I would use this as your template.

Based on a few Google searches, I would say that the "Se define/describe (a sí mismo) como...)" construction, with or without the "a sí mismo" is acceptable. - Goldie_Miel, Jul 23, 2012

The "se" (or te, me, nos, lo que sea) is a necessary part. - Goldie_Miel, Jul 23, 2012

Yes, a good model. I think ' Se define como artista' works fine too. - annierats, Jul 24, 2012

Yes, I don't think the "a mí/tí/sí mismo" is necessary, but I did find quite a lot of examples using it. - Goldie_Miel, Jul 24, 2012

Answer 5

Thanks annierats. Actually I was just wondering if "él mismo describió como de carácter trato fácil = se describió como de carácter trato fácil"?

I don't think so. Maybe "Describió sí mismo..." but para ser sincera, the whole "mismo" thing confuses me at times. - Goldie_Miel, Jul 23, 2012

I think the second option works. - annierats, Jul 24, 2012

Answer 6

In the conjugate section in SD, it says "describir" cannot be reflexive. It is not listed as a pronominal verb. So, to get the intent of "he described himself" across, I think it may be the best bet to go with Annies first answer and avoid the question altogether.

As Golda said, the whole "mismo" thing can get to be very confusing, and I have been on the wrong end of this type of structure before. ¡ Nos vemos, amigo!

Gracias. Estoy 'hay-making', not rolling in the hay, just working, y por eso, tengo muy poco tiempo. - annierats, Jul 24, 2012

Answer 7

Yes cdunn, the pronominal, not reflexive, form must be used to express the idea you propound with that phrase, that is, someone talking about a man who is describing himself:

• (Él) se describe (a sí mismo) como de trato fácil.

• (Él) se describe (a sí mismo) como de carácter dócil.

That's what I think too, I just avoided describirse. I think the si mismo is optional. The 'se ' is necessary. I think, anyway. - annierats, Jul 24, 2012

Answer 8

Noetol, I share the same uncertainty and confusion. Since there isn't a pronominal form for describir, I think the SE can serve two functions - either passive or impersonal. I believe that "se describió como de carácter trato fácil" is translated "he was described as easy-going" with the SE making the sentence passive. I don't think it can be the impersonal SE because the sentence would require an indirect pronoun (le) "se le describió como de carácter trato fácil" = "one/you/someone described him as easy-going" To make the sentence reflexive, I believe "a sí mismo" must be included.

I say all of the above with some trepidation since I am just beginning my studies into Spanish and am aware that there are exceptions and peculiarities with every language rule. That's why I posted my initial question to this great forum ;0)

Answer 9

I have to admit to a little confusion on this particular verb. Neither the SD dictionary nor the RAE lists describir as a pronominal or reflexive verb. I see the logic in diogonx' answer, but can a verb that is not listed as reflexive or pronominal be used in that form anyway? I'd say yes, but I'm just a little confused.

Answer 10

tranquilo o despreocupado.