Passive "Se" in Spanish;Lesson from spanishdict.
Passive "Se "
Quick answer -
The passive voice is generally used to talk about a person or object without making mention of whoever or whatever is performing the action on that person or object.
Passive se constructions are one way of using the passive voice in Spanish. Only transitive verbs(verbs that require a direct object) are used in* passive se* constructions.
The passive voice is generally used to talk about a person or object without making mention of whoever or whatever is performing the action on that person or object.
Passive se constructions are one way of using the passive voice in Spanish. Only transitive verbs(verbs that require a direct object) are used in* passive se* constructions.
Passive Se Formula
The passive se is always formed using the third person singular or third person plural of a verb. If whatever you're talking about is singular, the verb is singular; if the whatever you're talking about is plural, the verb is plural.
The passive se is always formed using the third person singular or third person plural of a verb. If whatever you're talking about is singular, the verb is singular; if the whatever you're talking about is plural, the verb is plural.
se + third person (singular/plural) verb + (singular/plural) noun
- Se vende queso.
Cheese sold here
- Se compran muebles usados.
Used furniture bought here.
Common Uses of the Passive Se
The passive se is commonly seen in want ads and other types of public announcements.
The passive* se* constructions* Se Busca and Se Vende* can be translated into English as Wanted and For Sale , respectively. These two phrases are especially common in classified ads and signs on properties.
- Se busca casa con tres cuartos
Wanted: a house with three bedrooms.
- Se venden vestidos.
Dresses sold here.
- Se vende casa con 3 dormitorios y 2 baños
For sale: house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
Instructions
It's common to see the passive* se* used in instruction manuals, cookbooks, and other types of publications that tell you how to do something.
- *** Se cortan las papas y las cebollas en pedazos.***
The potatoes and onions are cut into pieces.
- Se mezclan los ingredientes por 5 minutos
The ingredients are mixed for 5 minutes.
When the Person Performing an Action is Unknown or Unimportant
**Finally, it's also very common to for the passivese to be used when you don't know who performs an action, or it doesn't matter who does it. In these constructions, the action being performed (rather than the performer of the action) is considered the most important part of the sentence.*
- Se servirán bebidas en el jardín.
**Finally, it's also very common to for the passivese to be used when you don't know who performs an action, or it doesn't matter who does it. In these constructions, the action being performed (rather than the performer of the action) is considered the most important part of the sentence.*
Drinks will be served in the garden
- ¿A qué hora se abren las tiendas?
What time do the shops open?
- Las casas se pintan de azul
The houses are painted blue.
Try these constructions in sentences in both languages.
5 Answers
No quiero imaginar un lugar donde no se prohíbe tirar cadáveres.
I do not want to imagine a place where throwing out corpses is not forbidden.
Bilingual salespeople are needed.
Se necesitan vendedores bilingues.
