The Spanish Se for people that like grammar
If you're one of those strange people (like me) who's interested in grammar and what role 'se' plays in different sentences here's some flash cards that might give you a bit of practice.
I made them in answer to a request by Chavofelix and I hope that others might find them helpful too.
I'll probably make quiz to go with them soon so watch this space.
8 Answers
Thank you, Kiwi!!!
I don't like grammar, but I have no choice...jejeje
Se is used in Spanish when the person performing the action is not identified. Se habla español en México.( Spanish is spoken in México.) Se necesitan medicinas ahora. (They need medicine now). The verb is singular or plural contingent on the NOUN it describes not the person or in this case SE.
That's certainly one use of se, there is however a little more to it than that.
: 1) Reflexive se
- the person doing the action of the verb is also receiving the action of the verb.
Me ducho. I'm showering (myself).
2) Reciprocal se
- more than one subject does and receives the action of the verb.
Nos besamos. We're kissing (each other).
3) No fault or accidental se
- (not a true grammatical term btw) - this se serves the pupose of avoiding laying the blame on someone.
Se me olvidaron las llaves. I forgot the keys. or lit. The keys were forgotten to me.
4) The intransitivizing se
- this se essentially makes transitive verbs intransitive avoiding the need for a direct object.
Se hundió el barco. The boat sank (itself).
5) Pronomimal se
- this se is just part of the verb.
Desmayarse = to faint
6) Impersonal se
- this se doesn't identify who is doing the action of the verb, it is impersonal and could be translated using the impersonal English equivalents, 'one', 'you' or 'they' without actually referring to specific people. With this construction only the third person singular form of intransitive verbs can be used and the only direct object that can be accepted is a known person or person introduced with the personal 'a'.
Se puede entrar por aquí. One can enter through here.
7) Passive se
- similar to the impersonal se where the one doing the action of the verb is either unknown or unimportant and the influence is placed on the action and not the doer/actor. The verb can only be in 3rd person but it can be singular or plural to agree in number with the subject, which is normally placed after it.
Se venden carros aquí. Cars are sold here.
8) False se
- this se replaces the indirect object pronoun le so that it sounds better.
Le lo he dicho. becomes Se lo he dicho. I have told him (that).
9) Intensifying se
- this se intensifies or highlights the completeness of an action.
Comer = to eat Comerse = to eat up
Thanks Kiwi
No wonder I hate "se". Nine different uses. For me this is the most confusing word in the Spanish language. Thanks for the organized presentation.
Se is used in Spanish when the person performing the action is not identified. Se habla español en México.( Spanish is spoken in México.) Se necesitan medicinas ahora. (They need medicine now). The verb is singular or plural contingent on the NOUN it describes not the person or in this case SE.
For instance does "nos duchamos" mean we are taking showers or we are showering each other (implying that we are in the shower together) or does it mean both at the same time?
It can mean either, if there's any ambiguity a clarifying clause is often added. Or for showering together one could add 'juntos', nos duchamos juntos, to make the meaning clearer.
In Englsish, would you not say, ' who are interested in..?
You are one of those strange people
One of those strange people is interested in grammar (i.e. one of them is interested)
You are one of those strange people who is interested in grammar.
Essentially:
You are one who is... -vs- You are one who are...
I like this, Kiwi! I'm only answering so I can find it easily in "my answers" later. I like grammar more than spelling.
This is just a little musing: In the language itself some of the separate points may be considered only one usage with nuances. For instance does "nos duchamos" mean we are taking showers or we are showering each other (implying that we are in the shower together) or does it mean both at the same time? Are points 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 essentially the same thing to native speakers since they all have the same form, but have nuances, and if a nuance exists it cannot be explained by translation.
