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"Se" is a form of "se", a pronoun which is often translated as "themselves". "Su" is an adjective which is often translated as "his". Learn more about the difference between "se" and "su" below.
se()
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (reflexive)
2. (reciprocal)
a. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
Se dice que ganó su fortuna jugando al póquer.People say he won his fortune playing poker.
Se habla español.Spanish is spoken here.
su()
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. his (masculine) (singular)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Hiciste su tarea por él?Did you do his homework for him?
b. her (feminine) (singular)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Sabes dónde está el cargador de su teléfono?Do you know where the charger is for her phone?
c. its (singular)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Esta es su perrera.This is its doghouse.
2. (formal) (possessive; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
