48 "SE" explanation of uses

Question 1

Using ‘Se’ as a Reflexive Pronoun

The most common use of se is a reflexive pronoun. Such pronouns indicate that the subject of a verb is also its object.

Answer 1

In English, this is usually accomplished by using verbs such as “himself” or “themselves.” ​Se is used as the reflexive pronoun for third-person uses (including when usted or ustedes is the subject).

Question 2

Pablo sees himself using the mirror.
Pablo sees himself

Pablo looks

Answer 2

Pablo se ve usando el espejo.

Pablo se ve a sí mismo

Pablo se ve

Question 3

The parents can’t hear themselves.

Answer 3

Los padres no pueden oírse.

Question 4

Rebecca is hurting herself by smoking.

Answer 4

Rebecca se perjudica por fumar.
perjudicar= to harm

Question 5

Some verbs (as in the two examples below) can be used reflexively in Spanish -

Answer 5

even though they aren’t translated that way in English.

Question 6

Benjamin Franklin got up early.

Answer 6

Benjamín Franklin se levantaba temprano.

Question 7

He ate up the tacos.

Answer 7

Se comió los tacos. Why “se” here

Comió loa tacos.

Question 8

Although this use of se isn’t technically the passive voice, it fulfills the same function. By using se, particularly when discussing inanimate objects, it is possible to indicate an action without indicating who performed the action. Grammatically, such sentences are structured in the same way that sentences using reflexive verbs are.

Answer 8

Thus in a literal sense, a sentence such as se venden coches means “cars sell themselves.” In actuality, however, such a sentence would be the English equivalent of “cars are sold” or, more loosely translated, “cars for sale.”

Question 9

The doors are opened.

Answer 9

Se abren las puertas.
las puertas se abren

Question 10

The computer was sold.

Answer 10

Se vendió la computadora.

Question 11

The keys were lost.

Answer 11

Se perdieron los llaves.

Question 12

Smoking is prohibited.

Answer 12

Se prohibe fumar (3rd Pers Present).

Question 13

Using ‘Se’ as a Substitute for ‘Le’ or ‘Les’

When the indirect-object pronoun “LE”or “LES” is immediately followed by another pronoun that begins with an l, the le or les is changed to se.

Answer 13

This prevents having two pronouns in a row beginning with the l sound.

Question 14

Give it to her.

Answer 14

Déselo a ella.
Dé_la_lo (Incorrect- two “L”)
Dé_se_lo
(3rd Pers Imperative)
Dáselo. (DP) (2nd Pers Imp)

Question 15

He told it to him.

Answer 15

Se lo dijo a él
Él se lo dijo.

Question 16

I’m not going to give it to them.

Answer 16

No se lo voy a dar a ellos.

No voy a dárselo.

Question 17

Using the Impersonal ‘Se’

Se is sometimes used in an impersonal sense with singular verbs to indicate that people in general, or no person in particular, perform the action. When se is used in this way, the sentence follows the same pattern as those in which the main verb is used reflexively, except that there is no subject to the sentence that is explicitly stated.

Answer 17

As the examples below show, there are a variety of ways such sentences can be translated to English.

Question 18

People drive fast in Lima.

Answer 18

Se maneja rápidamente en Lima.
manejar = to handle, drive, manage

Question 19

You can find coconuts in the market.

Answer 19

Se puede encontrar cocos en el mercado.

Question 20

Often you have to study to learn.

Answer 20

Muchas veces se tiene que estudiar para aprender.

A menudo se tiene que estudiar para aprender.

Question 21

One ought not to eat quickly.

Answer 21

No se debe comer con prisa.

Question 22

A Caution About a Homonym

Se shouldn’t be confused with sé (note the accent mark), which is usually the singular first-person present indicative form of saber (“to know”). Thus sé usually means “I know.” Sé can also be the singular familiar imperative form of ser; in that case it means “you be” as a command.

Answer 22

A Caution About a Homonym

Se shouldn’t be confused with sé (note the accent mark), which is usually the singular first-person present indicative form of saber (“to know”). Thus sé usually means “I know.” Sé can also be the singular familiar imperative form of ser; in that case it means “you be” as a command.