Download Impersonal “Se” - Spanish Class Info

El “SE” impersonal
P. 6
Ever seen a sign that says,
Se habla español.
What does that mean?
It can be translated, “Spanish is spoken
here,” “They speak Spanish here,” “One
speaks Spanish here.”
The truth is that there’s not a literal
translation for it.
El “se” impersonal
In Spanish, verbs that are not reflexive
can be used with SE to form impersonal
constructions. It is used in statements in
which the person performing the action is
NOT expressed or defined. In English,
the passive voice or indefinite (you, they,
one, people) are used.
You can read in the waiting room.
In Spanish, you use:
se + verb in él OR ellos form
EL “se” impersonal

Se habla español.
◦ Spanish is spoken here.
◦ They speak Spanish here.

Se venden computadoras baratas.
◦ Cheap computers are sold here.
◦ They sell cheap computers here.
Note that since you don’t know who is
performing the action, the word that follows
the verb determines whether the verb is
singular or plural.
The tendency is to grab the closest noun and make
the verb agree with it!
2 Verbs Together

When two verbs are together, conjugate
the first verb in the él form/singular.
Se comen hamburguesas en McDonald’s.
You eat hamburgers at McDonald’s.
or
One eats hamburgers at McDonald’s.
or
Hamburgers are what’s served at
McDonald’s.
You use “comen” rather than “come”
because “hamburguesas” is plural.
¡A practicar!
 1. (vender) pasteles en la pastelería
 2. En México (jugar) mucho fútbol.
 3. (escribir) muchos ensayos en la clase
de inglés.
 4. (necesitar) estudiar mucho para esta
clase.
 5. (ofrecer) la ropa a un precio muy
barato.
 6. Aquí (decorar) las casas para la
Navidad.
 7. (cerrar) la tienda a la una.
¡A practicar!
1. One sells newspapers here.
Se venden periódicos
2. They speak Spanish here.
Se habla español
3. They serve enchiladas in Mexican
restaurants.
Se sirven enchiladas en restaurantes mexicanos
4. One eats well there.
Se come bien
5. You have to work hard to get good
grades.
Se tiene que trabajar duro para sacar buenas notas