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Old January 07, 2010, 03:32 AM
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Perikles Perikles is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep View Post
Mercedes anhela que Juan y Pati (arreglarse) arreglen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep View Post
Perikles, can you explain the se to me? Why do I add se before arreglan? On my last assignment I had a similar correction by my tutor but no explanation about it.
You have to recognise a reflexive or pronominal verb. One post is too short for a full explanation, but a reflexive verb can usually be translated with a himself/herself/myself etc. Lots of Spanish verbs have a reflexive form corresponding to English transitive/intransitive.

For example: secar to dry (transitive), secarse (intransitive)

El sol secó la ropa
The sun dried the clothes (transitive)

La ropa se secó al sol
The clothes dried in the sun (intransitive)

Literally, the clothes dried themselves, hence se

The reflexive bit is the word se which is always tagged on to the end of the infinitive, but split up in a finite verb to become me, te or se etc. depending on person.

Your original question: Mercedes anhela que Juan y Pati (arreglarse) arreglen.
Have a look at the infinitive: (arreglarse)

Does that help?
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