Many functions of "se"

Question

I know that "se" in Spanish has at least 3 functions: (1) reflexive, (2) part of the passive verb construction, (3) impersonal "se"

Look at this sentence: "No creo que se sorprenda cuando escuche mi voz, pero nunca se sabe"

There are two "se" in this sentence. The first "se" I believe performs function 1 ("sorprenderse"), whereas the second "se" performs function 3 ("one never knows").

My question is: how do I know which function "se" performs when it's used? Is there any clue in the sentence that one can use?

Gracias.

Answer 1

The first one is reflexive. "I don't think that he/she gets surprised ( or "is surprised) when he/he hears my voice.

"sorprenderse" means to get or become surprised.

The clue to know which one does what is to learn which verbs function mainly as reflexive verbs. Then the rest will fall into the other categories.

Thanks Daniela. But "saberse" also exist as a reflexive verb. How do I know if the "se" here is reflexive or performs the "other" function? - sunflowerhk, Jun 27, 2016

Saber is not normally a reflexive verb. "Se sabe" would have the passive meaning of "it is known" "Nunca se sabe " It's never known. - Daniela2041, Jun 27, 2016

I read the "pero nunca se sabe" as idiomatic English "but you never know." Is that also correct? - jellonz, Jun 28, 2016

Yes, exactly! The English part of my brain wasn't functioning too well when I first read that. :) - Daniela2041, Jun 28, 2016