detener(se)

Question

Can anyone clearly explain why "se" is necessary in the following sentence? It's from an article in "vientemundos" :

"Pasan camiones, taxis, buses pero nadie se detiene."

I know the sentence translates roughly as "Trucks, taxis and busses pass by but no one stops"

I've asked several people, including native spanish speakers, but no one can tell me why "se" is necessary in the above construction. This is only an example; there are many others where se appears to be simply redundant. I've become very familiar with the other uses of "se" (there's many!) but this one simply eludes me

Bring on your examples. I can handle them all. - Daniela2041, Jan 29, 2017

And there are at least three more native speakers on the site that really know their grammar. - Daniela2041, Jan 29, 2017

Answer 1

"Detener" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object. In the case of your sentence, "se" is a reflexive pronoun which is used here as the direct object of "detener" "Se" can mean himself, herself itself themselves even yourself or selves.

In your sentence "nadie se detiene" It simply means "no one stops him/self."

"Se" is a little word with a lot of complicated uses that usually is studied a little bit at a time over two semesters in college Spanish. Much longer in High School.

You Daniela, THE superstar of SD, are always there to help the old retirees of the world (like me) despite it being late on a Saturday night when you should be...out dancing or something (based on your photo) - t8805jg, Jan 29, 2017

So are you saying that the phrase is more like "but no one stops THEM" Or does "no one" refer instead to the taxis and busses and "se" therefore also refers to those vehicles? - t8805jg, Jan 29, 2017

The word "nadie" refers to people so I guess it just them. The English is a little ambiguous. - Daniela2041, Jan 29, 2017

gracias Daniela! - t8805jg, Jan 29, 2017