The Impersonal Se

Spanish: El Se Impersonal

Level: B1 Intermediate

Category: passive

Explanation

The impersonal "se" is a very common structure in Spanish used when we do not want to, or do not need to, specify who performs an action. Instead of saying "people speak Spanish here," we simply say "se habla español aquí." The subject remains undefined, generalized, or irrelevant: the focus is on the action, not on who performs it. The basic construction is: se + verb in the third-person singular. For example: "Se vive bien en Madrid" (One lives well in Madrid). The verb always stays singular when there is no plural direct object accompanying it, because there is no concrete grammatical subject. It is important to distinguish the impersonal "se" from the "passive se" (pasiva refleja). In the passive se, the verb agrees with the noun: "Se venden casas" (Houses are sold), where "casas" is plural so the verb is plural. With the purely impersonal "se" using intransitive verbs or verbs with a preposition, the verb always stays singular: "Se trabaja mucho aquí," "Se habla de política." We use this structure constantly in signs, instructions, rules, and general descriptions. You will see "Se prohíbe fumar" (No smoking), "Se ruega silencio" (Silence is requested), or "¿Cómo se dice esto en español?" (How do you say this in Spanish?) in daily life. Mastering the impersonal "se" will make your Spanish sound much more natural and native.

Examples

• Aqui se habla espanol e ingles. - Spanish and English are spoken here.
• En este cafe se sirve el mejor cafe de Madrid. - In this cafe the best coffee in Madrid is served.
• Se vive muy bien en este barrio. - One lives very well in this neighborhood.
• En el museo se prohibe tocar las obras. - In the museum it is forbidden to touch the artworks.
• Se venden entradas en la taquilla. - Tickets are sold at the ticket office.