Spanish 6.7. Reflexive Passive, Impersonal, & Accidental “Se”

Let us discuss the important topic of the passive voice, and understand the difference between reflexive passive “se,” Impersonal “se,” and accidental “se” in Spanish.

Table of Contents

• Passive Voice Using “to be” Verb followed by Adjective
• Reflexive Passive “Se” in Spanish
• Impersonal “Se” in Spanish
  • How to use impersonal “se” in Spanish
    • Transitive, Intransitive, or Copular Verbs using Impersonal “Se”
  • Reflexive Passive “Se” vs. Impersonal “Se” in Spanish
    • When is it tricky?
• Accidental “Se” in Spanish
• Summary
• Quiz: Passive Voice in Spanish
• Level VI – Fluent

Passive Voice Using “to be” Verb followed by Adjective

One way to describe something in the passive voice in Spanish is by moving the noun acted upon to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it and using a “to be” verb followed by the adjective or the past participle. For example:

The performer of the action in the above two examples, denoted by “por …” (by …), can be omitted as it is deemed not to be of great significance.

Reflexive Passive “Se” in Spanish

Another way to construct the passive voice in Spanish is by using the reflexive passive “se” with transitive verbs. The basic formula consists of “se” followed by the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb.

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important. For example:

Notice that only transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

Impersonal “Se” in Spanish

In English, we sometimes make general statements or observations such as:

We work better as a team.

They sleep early in the village.

It feels better without social pressure.

It is better alone than in bad company.

Notice that in the above sentences, we used the subject pronouns (we, they, and it) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.

Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete. On the other hand, “to feel” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.

In Spanish, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using “se” followed by the singular third-person conjugation of the verb. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal, and the “se” is called impersonal “se.”

How to use impersonal “se” in Spanish

We translate the previous examples into Spanish as follows:

Transitive, Intransitive, or Copular Verbs using Impersonal “Se”

As you can see, the verb is always singular regardless of any implicit assumptions about the subject, which is grammatically absent.

Although often used with intransitive and copular verbs, the impersonal “se” can also be used with transitive verbs in one case, that is, if the direct complement is a person(s) preceded by the personal “a,” e.g., “Se busca a personas con experiencia” (Wanted people with experience). In this case, as is the practice with impersonal “se” sentences, the third-person verb is in singular form regardless of the number of the noun following the personal “a.”

Reflexive Passive “Se” vs. Impersonal “Se” in Spanish

There are many reflexive passive and impersonal “se” examples in commercials and other everyday activities. If you find it sometimes difficult to distinguish between the reflexive passive “se” and the impersonal “se,” consider the following rules:

1. If the third-person verb is intransitive or copular, we must use the impersonal “se.”
2. If the third-person verb is transitive and the noun that follows the verb is a thing or things, not a person or persons, we must use the reflexive passive “se.”

When is it tricky?

Confusion arises only when the third-person verb is transitive and the noun that follows the verb is a person or persons, not a thing or things. In this case, we can use either the reflexive passive “se” or the impersonal “se.” Consider the following two examples:

The two examples above have identical English translations and use the same transitive verb, “buscar” (to search or look for). The second example, however, differs in two ways:

1. The direct complement is person(s) preceded by the personal “a,” which makes the subject lacking from a grammatical point of view.
2. The third-person verb is in the singular form.

Thus, the second example uses the impersonal “se,” whereas the first example uses the reflexive passive “se.”

Accidental “Se” in Spanish

Another interesting use of “se” in Spanish is the “accidental se” or the blameless form, in which the speaker does not claim responsibility for the action. It indicates that the action is due to an accident rather than a deliberate act. Examples of this are:

It is more like saying that the internet dropped off on me or the keys were forgotten on me, rather than taking the blame or responsibility for the accidental action of dropping or forgetting something.

You can distinguish the accidental “se” from the reflexive passive “se” and the impersonal “se” by the reflexive pronoun, which precedes the accidental “se” and reveals the real performer of the act.

Summary

The table below summarizes the differences between the reflexive passive, the impersonal, and the accidental “se” in Spanish:

Quiz: Passive Voice in Spanish

Spanish: Passive Voice

1 / 7

1. Use the impersonal "se":

One must follow the traffic. (must = deber)

SP: seguir las reglas.

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.
Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.
On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.
In Spanish, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “se” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

“Se” + third-person intransitive or copular verb (always singular)

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.
Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.
On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.
In Spanish, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “se” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

“Se” + third-person intransitive or copular verb (always singular)

2 / 7

2. Reflexive passive "se" vs impersonal "se":

 

Wanted people with experience.

SP: (Option #1)    personas con experiencia.

SP: (Option #2)    a personas con experiencia.

Check

The two examples have identical English translations and use the same transitive verb, “buscar” (to search or look for). One of the two examples, however, differs in two ways:

1. The direct complement is person(s) preceded by the personal “a”, which makes the subject lacking from a grammatical point of view.

2. The third-person verb is in the singular form.

The example with the characteristics above uses the impersonal “se”, whereas the other uses the reflexive passive “se”.

The two examples have identical English translations and use the same transitive verb, “buscar” (to search or look for). One of the two examples, however, differs in two ways:

1. The direct complement is person(s) preceded by the personal “a”, which makes the subject lacking from a grammatical point of view.

2. The third-person verb is in the singular form.

The example with the characteristics above uses the impersonal “se”, whereas the other uses the reflexive passive “se”.

3 / 7

3. Use the passive reflexive "se":

Cell phones are sold here. (to sell = vender)

SP: celulares aquí.

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

One way to construct the passive voice in Spanish is by using the reflexive passive “se” with transitive verbs.
The basic formula consists of the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb, preceded by “se.”

“Se” + third-person transitive verb (sing. or plural) + noun (sing. or plural)

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important.

Notice that ONLY transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

One way to construct the passive voice in Spanish is by using the reflexive passive “se” with transitive verbs.
The basic formula consists of the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb, preceded by “se.”

“Se” + third-person transitive verb (sing. or plural) + noun (sing. or plural)

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important.

Notice that ONLY transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

4 / 7

4. The book was written by an anonymous author. (to write = escrir)

SP: El libro fue por un autor anónimo.

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

One way to describe something in the passive voice is to move the noun acted upon to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it, and use “to be” verb followed by the adjective or the past participle.

The performer of the action in the above example, denoted by “por …” (by …), can be omitted as it is deemed not to be of great significance.

One way to describe something in the passive voice is to move the noun acted upon to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it, and use “to be” verb followed by the adjective or the past participle.

The performer of the action in the above example, denoted by “por …” (by …), can be omitted as it is deemed not to be of great significance.

5 / 7

5. Use the passive reflexive "se":

In Egypt, they speak Arabic. (to speak = hablar)

SP: En Egipto,  árabe.

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

One way to construct the passive voice in Spanish is by using the reflexive passive “se” with transitive verbs.
The basic formula consists of the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb, preceded by “se.”

“Se” + third-person transitive verb (sing. or plural) + noun (sing. or plural)

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important.

Notice that ONLY transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

One way to construct the passive voice in Spanish is by using the reflexive passive “se” with transitive verbs.
The basic formula consists of the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb, preceded by “se.”

“Se” + third-person transitive verb (sing. or plural) + noun (sing. or plural)

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important.

Notice that ONLY transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

6 / 7

6. Use the impersonal "se":

One is happier alone than in bad company. (to be = estar)

SP: más feliz solo que mal acompañado.

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.
Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.
On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.
In Spanish, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “se” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

“Se” + third-person intransitive or copular verb (always singular)

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.
Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.
On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.
In Spanish, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “se” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

“Se” + third-person intransitive or copular verb (always singular)

7 / 7

7. Use the impersonal "se":

One does not travel far alone. (to travel = viajar)

SP: No  solo lejos.

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.
Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.
On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.
In Spanish, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “se” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

“Se” + third-person intransitive or copular verb (always singular)

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.
Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.
On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.
In Spanish, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “se” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

“Se” + third-person intransitive or copular verb (always singular)

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