Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


The use of 'SE'?

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 20, 2017, 05:15 AM
michal michal is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Israel
Posts: 8
Native Language: Hebrew
michal is on a distinguished road
The use of 'SE'?

I don't really understand the use of the word se in some one the cases.
I understand it's a word for activities that happen generally, not necessarily right now, for example: "como se llega a la plaza?".

but here are examples for sentences where I don't understand:

"Esta pelea, puede durar mucho tiempo y termina cuando una de las personas se rinde."

'El turista se le acerca y busca conversar con él. '

what the se is used for? thank you !
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old July 20, 2017, 08:46 AM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
The pronoun 'se' is used a lot of different ways. Your sentences demonstrate a couple of them.

In the first sentence, 'se llega' means 'one arrives'. This usage is known as "impersonal 'se'." When no particular person is being addressed, use 'se'.

In the second sentence, 'se rinde' is the conjugated form of 'rendirse', which is known as a pronominal verb.
It means 'gives up' or 'surrenders'.

In the third sentence, 'se' is used pronominally. 'Acercarse', the unconjugated form, means 'to get close', so 'se le acerca' means 'gets close to him'.

There are several uses of 'se'. You can search online or here in the forums for:
object pronoun substitution (when next to another third-person object pronoun)
passive 'se'
accidental (no fault) 'se'
reflexive 'se'
reciprocal 'se'
pronominal 'se'
impersonal 'se'
process 'se' (examples are 'casarse', 'rendirse' or 'despertarse')

And there are some pronominal verbs that take on a meaning that differs from the meaning of the plain infinitive (without the pronominal object), like 'irse' (to leave, go away) or 'pasarse' (to spend time [doing something]).
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old July 21, 2017, 09:25 AM
michal michal is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Israel
Posts: 8
Native Language: Hebrew
michal is on a distinguished road
This is really helpful thank you !!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old July 21, 2017, 09:40 AM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
You're welcome.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
impersonal se, pronomial verbs, reflexive passive voice, se

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:29 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X