Uses of the 'se' pronoun in Spanish
the 'se' form of the indirect object pronoun can either refer to a third
person singular or plural when both (direct and indirect object) pronouns
are used. For a more detailed explanation on the use of these pronouns
1. I donate a
book to the library.
Yo dono un libro a
2. I donate it to
Yo se lo dono.
A reflexive verb is one that takes the subject as an object. In English
it's expressed with: myself, yourself, herself, etc. In Spanish we use
the object pronouns for all the different subjects except for the third
person (singular and plural), which will use 'se'. The placement is the
same as with object pronouns (before a conjugated verb, attached to the
infinitive or present progressive).
To wake up-> levantarse, despertarse
1. I wake up at seven.
(Yo) me levanto a las siete. (Literally:
I wake myself
up at seven)
2. You wake up at seven.
(Tú) te levantas a las siete. (Literally:
You wake yourself
up at seven)
3. They wake up/(S)He wakes up
(Ellos/Ellas) se levantan/(El/Ella) se
Again, the idea is that whatever is identified with 'se' is an object.
In this case, the action is reciprocal. As with the reflexive 'se', it
represents a third person (singular or plural).
To look, to see->
1. They look at each other.
Ellos(Ellas) se miran.
For other persons, the object pronouns are used since that is really
their grammatical function.
1. You and I see each other.
Tú y yo (implying a `we') nos vemos.
2. Y'all see each other.
Ustedes se ven./Vosotros os
In this case the idea is that no particular subject is expressed, hence
the impersonality of its use. In English you say:
It is said* that the books are dirty.
Se dice que los libros están sucios.
that the tense of the verb 'to say' in English is expressed in the
preterite and acts as a past participle while the verb "to
be" is added. This use reflects a passive construction, and
many times this use of "se" can be confused with the passive
Another English equivalent is the use of "one." For example:
should never arrive
late to an appointment.
tarde a una cita.
In English there
are similar constructions using the passive voice.
A forest is
seen from my window.
ve un bosque desde mi ventana.
As in passive
constructions, the object of the 'active voice' becomes the subject of
the passive construction, and the person who sees the forest is not considered
important. The emphasis here is in the object seen (forest) and the action
(to see). If we construct a regular, active structure, we would need to
assign a subject:
see a forest
from my window.
Veo un bosque desde mi ventana.
The so-called "No fault" or accidental 'se' is related to
the reflexive and passive use. For example, in English speakers say:
I drop the keys.
In Spanish, the idea is that it wasn't me who drops them on purpose,
the action was not intended to happen. Hence, the action is attributed
to the keys, while the 'I' becomes an indirect
caen las llaves.
If the intended idea is that I drop the keys on purpose, then a verb
such as 'to throw' (tirar) or another equivalent of 'to drop' (dejar
caer) would be used.
I drop the keys.
Tiro las llaves.
Dejo caer las llaves.