Impersonal se vs. reflexive se

Question

Hola, mis amigos. This is my first post. What is the difference between the impersonal se and the reflexive se??

Welcome to the Q&A forum! - --Mariana--, Aug 12, 2012

Answer 1

The reflexive "se" acts to show that the recipient of the action is the subject itself, the action happens to oneself.

Se pregunta ¿cuál es la mejor comida?

She asks herself which is the better food?

The passive "se" acts to show that the do-er of the action is hidden, so we can say that the action preformes itself with nobody causing an action.

Se cerró la puerta

The door was closed/The door closed itself

"Se" is perhaps the most confusing word in all of Spanish Brady explained the two well but in practical use it is hard to tell them about without lots of practice. - gringojrf, Aug 12, 2012

But the reflexive se will always be accompanied by the third person conjugation of the verb, either singular or plural. But this may also be true of the impersonal "se" as well. - gringojrf, Aug 12, 2012

Answer 2

Passive voice- means that the action of the verb falls on he subject…the subject recieves the action.

It may be used when the doer/agent is not specifically expressed.La puerta fue cerrada. (The door was closed).

It does not mean that the door was the recipient of its own action.There is no "se" vpr .

The true passive must be used when the doer/agent is expressed. La puerta fue cerrada por el maestro. (The door was closed by the teacher) The action of the verb still falls on the subject (La puerta). Notice that cerrada (really a form of the past participle “cerrar”) is being used as an adjective.

To form the true passive voice use this construction; (subject + verb tense of “ser” + past participle + por + the agent/doer responsible for the action of the verb)

There are two substitutes for the true passive voice. When they are used, the doer/agent is not specifically mentioned.

The impersonal “they”may be used. Lo compraron ayer. They bought it yesterday. (It was bought)…..

The impersonal pronoun “se” may be used to substitute for the “true passive voice construction”.

When you use “se” the subject is a thing (not a person) and the agent/doer is not stated. “Aquí se habla español”. (Spanish is spoken here). “Aquí se comprará el coche. (The car will be bought here).

When the subject of the “(passive senetence)” is a person…it could conceivably do the action to itself. (vpr) Thus, “Reflexive Pronouns” are used. Se habla todo el tiempo. (He talks to himself all the time).

With “(Reflexives)”. The “(se)” means that the subject of the verb recieves the action. In many cases the action becomes( “personal” to the subject"). When using (vpr- verb pronominal reflexives) always ("look for the personal meaning first and the reflexive "To himself,etc." second"). Se lava el pelo. (She washes/ does wash/ is washing her hair….the washing of hair is personal to her) She is not washing herself the hair. Instead….the action is "personal" to her. She is washing her hair.

great explanation, thanks! - Stephen_C, Sep 27, 2015

Answer 3

You have already received some good pointers but if you are keen for a bit more info this lesson might help too (smiley) The Spanish 'se'