Reflexive Verb "Se"

Question

Part of an article:

Al menos 480 personas murieron y 4.605 resultaron heridas como resultado del terremoto de 7,8 que sacudió a Ecuador el pasado sábado, según afirmó el ministro de Defensa Ricardo Patiño.

Este martes se registró una fuerte réplica de magnitud 5,5 en la costa.

Alrededor de 150.000 niños se encuentran afectados por el sismo, según UNICEF.

Sentences from the article:

1. Este martes se registró una fuerte réplica de magnitud 5,5 en la costa.

2. Alrededor de 150.000 niños se encuentran afectados por el sismo.

Questions:

1. I would like to know how the reflexive pronoun "se" was used on the first sentence.

2. For the second one, Google translated it as "Around 150,000 children are affected by the earthquake", instead of using the verb encontrar, can I just directly say "niños se afectan" ?

Thank you guys!

Answer 1

1 This is passive se, without se there is either an object or subject missing- a strong aftershock registered (what) or (what) registered a strong aftershock. In English we say a strong aftershock was registered, in Spanish that is in essence usually done by saying a strong aftershock registered itself- although that is not really how you should think of it- it is the mental equivalent of the passive English without being a true passive.

2 As a non-native native speaker I can see no reason you couldn't change it that way- I think it sounds more elegant with encontrar though. Maybe a native speaker will comment if there is some subtlety that I am missing.

I agree with everything bosque said. - gringojrf, Apr 20, 2016

"se encuentran afectados" ="find themselves" affected--" This is a construction used in English and French. It's funny the Translator couldn't see it that way. - Daniela2041, Apr 20, 2016

Thank you, both of you! - TheMap, Apr 24, 2016

Nice sanswer! - annierats, Apr 24, 2016

Answer 2

I would like to know what's your native language... before I can help.

Thanks.

Not sure why you're asking but Filipino is my mother tongue. - TheMap, Apr 24, 2016

We ask because this is a Language learning site. We need to know your language and what your level of understanding Spanish is so we can address your questions accordingly. - rac1, Apr 24, 2016

Answer 3

@chileno Not sure why you're asking but Filipino is my mother tongue.

@bosquederoble thanks again!