LE -> SE confusion

Question

Hola, I've learned that when there is "lo", "la", etc in the sentence, if there is also le, les then it becomes "se". But in a book, I see a lot of sentences that there is no "lo", "la", etc but there is "se". For example: "Lo necesito" se dice Pepa, y se mira con escepticismo en el espejo. This "se mira" is not seemed like passive. So this "se mira" has to mean "she looks at her". Anyway I'm very confused, so can anyone explain me the use of "se" in this example?

Welcome to SpanishDict, Ceren. - rac1, Aug 22, 2017

se has a lot of uses - you are focussing on changing le to se because it is easier to say. Se can be used in passive constructions and in reflexive and pronominal verbs. - Mardle, Aug 22, 2017

Keep reading and it will become clearer - Mardle, Aug 22, 2017

Answer 1

"Lo necesito" – I need it

se dice Pepa- says Pepa to herself

, y se mira- and looks at herself

con escepticismo- with skepticism

en el espejo- in the mirror

Pronominal to reflect the action back on the person acting- talk to oneself and look at oneself.

(Ella) la mira- she looks at her (someone else, could also be it, feminine object).

(Ella) se mira- she looks at herself.

(Ella) le dice- she says to her (or him, usted- still someone else)

(Ella) se dice- she says to herself.

very nice - 006595c6, Aug 22, 2017

Gracias, Heidita. :) - bosquederoble, Aug 23, 2017

Answer 2

Se strikes again! You mentioned se/le substitution and passivity. There are many other ways that se is used in Spanish, including impersonal se, reflexive, reciprocal, to create an intransitive version of a transitive verb, intensifying a verb, etc.

I agree with AreceraCielo that in this case it is being used reflexively. He was talking to himself and looking at himself in the mirror.

Here is a humorous look at the many uses of se in Spanish.

One of my favorite lines that he says after explaining the umpteenth use of se:

Look, in context you can't get confused with that. You can't get confused. And if you can, you shouldn't. We're Spanish. We won't get confused, will we?

A fun look at the many uses of se in Spanish

If you are taking a structured course of Spanish, you will eventually learn about all the major uses of se and will learn how to figure out which is being used, when. If you are looking for a structured course we have a couple here. Look under the main menu for Learn Spanish and then choose either Fluencia (a premium/paid course) or select the SpanishDict Video course which is very good and free. This course is integrated with writing, speaking and flashcard sets to ensure that you learn the material.

I tried editing your link but it didn't work. - NKM1974, Aug 22, 2017

Thanks NKM, I've been trying too, but can't get it. Is the ? mark a problem? - DilKen, Aug 22, 2017

The problem could be these symbols: ?, = or &. - NKM1974, Aug 22, 2017

I found an old answer where I had posted this link by searching on google. Then I did a cut and paste and it worked. - DilKen, Aug 22, 2017

The link is from LightSpeedSpanish. They have Peninsular Spanish & British English lessons. That's a great site. - NKM1974, Aug 22, 2017

Answer 3

Hi there Ceren9241,

When I read in spanish I do a lot of "by context" translation. If I ran across this sentence I would interpret it as

"I need this (or it)" Pepa said to herself, looking skeptically at herself in the mirror.

The mirror would be the cue to me, that she is talking to and looking at herself. I think that's why the "se" is there. It sounds like Pepa is trying to talk herself into something.

That's my take!

Answer 4

"Lo necesito" se dice Pepa, y se mira con escepticismo en el espejo.

Definitely reflexive.

She is going to be the best looking taxi driver in town, Gracia is a neighbourhood in Barcelona.

and then she is talking to herself:

I could need that ...that would be great....and she looks doubtfully at herself in the mirror.

She would love to believe the hairdresser, but it seems she is not so sure about her own beauty and charm.

Answer 5

Hello!

These two links from 2012 & 2013 might be pertinent to this subject.

• Spanish confusion 2: "te", "ti" "tu", "le" and "se"
• Different usage of "se," "le," "lo" and "la" got me confused

Hope this helps.

Regards!

Answer 6

Thank you all so much for answering my question. So sorry but I'm still confused. It's my mistake that I did not give you the whole context. You might suppose that Pepa is at her room alone and talks herself. But actually she is at the hairdresser of her friend. Let me give you the whole paragraph. Loli le pone en la cabeza una crema blanca que apesta a amoniaco. Pepa observa pacientemente cómo su amiga distribuye el mágico producto. -Seguro que esto funciona? -Claro,mujer... Vas a ser la tía más guapa de Gracia. Mejor dicho, la taxista más guapa de Barcelona. "Lo necesito" se dice Pepa, y se mira con escepticismo en el espejo. Now that you see the whole paragraph can you explain me whether it is she looks at herself in the mirror or she looks at her in the mirror? Sorry to bother you with this much questions but I'm just A2

The only interpretation of se is reflexive, herself. Se only represents an indirect object when both pronouns are present. Le lo becomes se lo, for example. But with just "se" it can only represent the reflexive subject/object, not a third party. - DilKen, Aug 23, 2017

If she was speaking to someone else, it would be Lo necesito, le dice Pepa, for example. There is no need to replace le with se in this situation because there is no double pronoun of the type le lo, les la, les lo, etc. - DilKen, Aug 23, 2017

Muchas gracias DilKen. Now I get it perfectly:) - Ceren9241, Aug 23, 2017