What impersonal se does
Se + 3rd person verb can mean people in general do something, or a passive without naming who.
Se habla español = Spanish is spoken here. Se vende = For sale.
Impersonal se
Se vende, se habla español — passive & general statements
In this guide5 sections
General “one” / “they”
- Se vive bien aquí.Life is good here. / One lives well here.
- Se dice que va a llover.They say it is going to rain.
- Se come muy tarde en España.People eat very late in Spain.
- No se fuma.No smoking.
- ¿Cómo se escribe?How do you spell it? / How is it written?
- Se alquila piso.Flat for rent.
Passive-like se
Verb agrees with the thing acted on (singular/plural): Se vende el coche · Se venden coches.
- Se abre la puerta.The door is opened.
- Se venden entradas.Tickets are sold.
- Se ha roto el cristal.The glass has broken / was broken.
- Se construyeron muchas casas.Many houses were built.
- Se permite la entrada.Entry is allowed.
- Se prohíbe aparcar.Parking is prohibited.
Not reflexive se
Practice 1 — 10 questions
Spanish is spoken here →
For sale →
No smoking →
How do you spell it? →
Tickets are sold →
They say it will rain →
Flat for rent →
Parking is prohibited →
People eat late in Spain →
Entry is allowed →