(5) Impersonal and Passive Se

Question 1

Se celebra, se miran, se prepara, se sirve, and se cena are impersonal or passive expressions, which means that no individual is identified as performing the action. English accomplishes the same deemphasis of the subject by using impersonal subjects, like people, they, you, one, or by using the passive voice (is served).

Answer 1

En el otoño se celebra el día de Acción de Gracias en EEUU. Esa día se miran partidos de fútbol Americano. Se prepara un pavo para la cena que se sirve con relleno. Se cena con la familia.

In fall, people in the U.S. celebrate Thanksgiving. That day they watch football games. You prepare a turkey for dinner that is served with stuffing. One eats dinner with family.

Question 2

In Spanish the se pronoun is used in place of any specific subject with a third person verb.

• The verb is singular when followed by a singular direct object or no object.
• The verb is plural when followed by a plural noun (or more than one singular noun).

Answer 2

• **Ex. Singular: **
• Se abre (opens)
• Se celebra el día (One/people/you/they celebrate(s) the day)
• Se cena con la familia (One/people/you/they eat(s) with the family)
• **Ex. Plural: **
• Se abren (opens)
• Se miran partidos (One/people/you/they watch(es) games)

Question 3

The use of se is very common, especially in instructions, generalizations, recipes, and announcements.

Answer 3

• Personal
• Llevamos un regalo
• Esuchamos música
• Comemos pastel
• Bailomos toda la noche
• Impersonal
• Se lleva un regalo
• Se escucha música
• Se come pastel
• Se baila toda la noche

Question 4

Revlexive vs Reciprocal vs Impersonal/Passive

• Reflexive: action done to self
• Reciprocal: action done to one another
• Impersonal/Passive: unknown who does action

Answer 4

• IMPERSONAL/PASSIVE se = **Se escriben notas **(si hay algo importante que recordar) = People/They/You (in general)/One write(s) notes; Notes are written (if there is something important to remember).
• RECIPROCAL se = **Se escriben notas **(porque están enamorados) = They write notes to each other (because they’re in love)
• REFLEXIVE **se **= **Se escriben notas **(porque no tienen Buena memoria) = They write notes to themselves (because they don’t have good memory).