How to get used to "Se"

Question

Someone please help me...I've read many articles about "Se" and I still cannot get a hang out of it.Can someone give me a simple rule to follow to decide when to use Se and how to identify the use of Se in a given sentence?

There is NO simple rule. It has many, many uses and is somewhat complicated. - Daniela2041, Jan 22, 2017

Answer 1

"Se" is a personal pronoun. It can mean "himself" "herself" "yourself or yourselves" and "themselves" In the proper context it can mean "itself"

It is used in reflexive constructions.

María se baña. María bathes herself (or takes a bath)

Rosa se viste. Rosa dresses herself (or gets dressed)

It is also used in "passive" construction.

Aquí se habla esañol. Here Spanish is spoken. (literally "speaks itself)

There are many uses of "se" and one usually learns them just a couple at a time, but here's a few links to a teaching on the subject.

Se used with reflexive verbs

Impersonal "se" in Spanish

Impersonal "se" vs. Passive "se"

Passive "se" in Spanish

Am I correct to say that whenever Se is used,the verb must always be in the third-person? - NoelJ, Jan 22, 2017

That is correct. However "usted" and "ustedes" also use third person forms as well. "Usted "se" enoja con sus estudiantes, ¿verdad? (You get angry with your students, don't you?" This is because "usted" is a shortened way of saying "vuestra mercer" - Daniela2041, Jan 22, 2017

"vuestra merced" ("your grace") which is technically third person. - Daniela2041, Jan 22, 2017

Now I would appreciate a vote. - Daniela2041, Jan 22, 2017