The word “se” is one of the most versatile and confusing words in Spanish, as it has several grammatical uses. Depending on the context, it can function as a reflexive pronoun, impersonal, reflexive passive, among others. Here we explain its most important uses with clear examples.
- “Se” reflexive
It is used when the subject performs and receives the action at the same time.
📌 Example:
Ana combs her hair every morning. (Ana combs her own hair)
They wash their hands before eating.
✅ Trick: If you can substitute “se” for “a sí/a”, it is reflexive.
- Reciprocal “Se”
It is used when two or more people do the action with each other.
📌 Example:
Carlos and Maria hugged each other (Carlos hugged Maria and Maria hugged Carlos)
The players congratulated each other after the game.
✅ Trick: You can add “mutually” or “each other” without changing the meaning.
- “Se” as an indirect object pronoun
When in a sentence there is an indirect object pronoun (le/les) followed by “lo/la/los/los/las”, you change “le” or “les” to “se” to avoid cacophony.
📌 Example:
I gave the book to John → I gave it to him.
I sent the letter to my parents → I sent it to them.
✅ Trick: “Se” in this case is always followed by “lo”, “la”, ‘los’ or “las”.
- “Se” impersonal
Used for sentences without a specific subject. It is common in instructions, rules or generalizations.
📌 Example:
You live very well in this city.
Smoking is not allowed here.
Coffee is said to be good for your health.
✅ Trick: The verb is always in the third person singular.
- “Se” of reflexive passive
It is used to form passive sentences without mentioning who performs the action.
📌 Example:
All the tickets were sold. (= All the tickets were sold)
A new bridge will be built in the city.
✅ Trick: If the noun is plural, the verb must also be plural.
- “Se” with pronominal verbs
Some verbs always take “se” without having a reflexive or reciprocal meaning.
📌 Example:
Quejarse → Pedro complains a lot.
Realize → I realized the mistake.
Dare → They don’t dare to speak.
✅ Trick: These are verbs that are always conjugated with “se”, without changing the basic meaning of the verb.
- “Se” accidental or unintentional
It is used to express that something happened unintentionally.
📌 Example:
My glass broke.
We forgot our keys.
He dropped the phone.
✅ Trick: It is constructed with “se” + indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les) + verb.
Quick summary
| Use of “se” | Example |
| Reflexive | Maria takes a bath. |
| Reciprocal | Peter and John greet each other. |
| Indirect object pronoun | I gave it to him/her. |
| Impersonal | People live well here. |
| Reflexive Passive | The books were sold. |
| Pronominal verbs | He dared to speak. |
| Accidental / involuntary | I lost the money (by accident). |
Conclusion
“Se” is a very useful word with different functions in Spanish. The key to using it well is to look at the context and practice with examples.
