When to add "se" to the infinitive form

Question

How do you know when to use the "se" at the end of the infinitive form of a verb? For example, for the phrase, "She is going to marry him", how would you know whether to say "Ella va a casar con él" or "Ella va a casarse con él"?

Thank you!

Please complete your SD profile - it helps us to help you - gracias :) - ian-hill, Jun 19, 2014

The verb "casar" means "to marry". The verb "casarse" means "to get married". Maria can't marry Pablo: Maria no puede casar a Pablo. Maria and Pablo can't get married: Maria y Pablo no pueden casarse. - Jubilado, Jun 19, 2014

Answer 1

No its not my homework, I am trying to understand this for myself- I translated the phrase so I know its "casarse", but I don't understand why. - aloha16

Well in non-grammaticaly terms if you are one of the two parties involved in marriage, ie. the man or the woman then it is casarse. If you are the priest doing the ceremony then it is casar.

Or, does the verb casar directly effect you? Yes - reflexive. No - non-reflexive.

Thanks! Could you also use "Ella va a casarle"? - aloha16, Jun 19, 2014

I am unsure. I think "Ella se va a casarle (a él." But I could easily be wrong. - gringojrf, Jun 19, 2014

Creo que sería -- (Ella) va a casarse con... - NikkiLR, Jun 19, 2014

Of course Nikki. You are correct. - gringojrf, Jun 19, 2014

Grammar is just not my thing. lol - gringojrf, Jun 19, 2014

:D - NikkiLR, Jun 19, 2014

Answer 2

Welcome to SpanishDict. Is this your homework? Did your instructor explain this to you?

No its not my homework, I am trying to understand this for myself- I translated the phrase so I know its "casarse", but I don't understand why. - aloha16, Jun 19, 2014

:) - ian-hill, Jun 19, 2014

Answer 3

On the blue bar at the top is the word "Translate". Click on that button, type in "casar" and hit enter, and scroll down the second dictionary's entries and towards the bottom you will find a sentence very similar to your's that will answer your question clearly.

:) - ian-hill, Jun 19, 2014

Answer 4

There are certain verbs which are reflexive for no apparent reason, and casarse is one of them. Also divorciarse.

I would agree with NikkiRivera regarding 'ella va a casarse con ...'

There are many verbs which are reflexive or non reflexive, depending upon the usage, for example:

La madra va a bañar a los niños. The mother is going to bathe the children.

La madre va a bañarse. The mother is going to take a bath/bathe herself.

Hope this helps

That helps thanks! - aloha16, Jun 19, 2014