The many uses of se
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
El libro en 1689.
The book was published in 1689.
The rule
The word se shows up everywhere in Spanish, and it does not always mean the same thing. It can mark a reflexive action, a reciprocal action, an impersonal statement, or an accident. This lesson sorts out the main patterns so you can tell them apart when you read or hear them.
The pattern
Se has several common uses. Do not try to label every se before you understand the sentence.
Reflexive se means the subject acts on themselves. Ella se lava means "she washes herself."
Reciprocal se means people do something to each other. It takes a plural subject: Ellos se quieren (they love each other).
Impersonal se means "people," "one," or a general "you." The verb stays singular: Se dice que va a llover. Se habla español aquí.
Passive se leaves the doer unnamed. It is common in signs and notices. The thing being sold or offered is the subject, so the verb agrees with it: Se vende una casa. Se venden casas.
Accidental se shows that something happened to someone without intent. Use me, te, le, nos, or les to show who was affected: Se me cayó el teléfono. The thing that fell is the grammatical subject, so the verb agrees with it: Se me cayeron las llaves. This wording reduces blame. Rompí el vaso says you broke it. Se me rompió el vaso says it broke on you.
Examples
- Ella se lava antes de dormir.She washes herself before sleeping.
- Ellos se ayudan mutuamente.They help each other.
- Se dice que va a llover mañana.They say it is going to rain tomorrow.
- Aquí se habla inglés.English is spoken here.
- Se venden apartamentos cerca del parque.Apartments are for sale near the park.
- Se me cayó el teléfono.I dropped my phone.
- Se le olvidó la cita.He forgot the appointment.
- Se nos acabó el tiempo.We ran out of time.
Watch out
- Se vende casas. Se venden casas.The verb agrees with casas, the plural thing being sold.
- Se hablan español aquí. Se habla español aquí.With impersonal se, the verb stays singular.
- Me cayó el teléfono. Se me cayó el teléfono.The accidental construction requires se.
- Se me rompí el vaso. Se me rompió el vaso.The verb agrees with el vaso, not with me.