He asked vs he was asked

[Sang]

I can´t make sense of how "se le preguntó" translated into "he was asked" when for example "se le olvidó" translated into simply "he forgot". Should "se le preguntó" be translated into "he asked"?

[Rusty]

"He asked" is an active voice construction in English. The subject is 'he.' The active voice equivalent is "Él preguntó" in Spanish.

"He was asked" is a passive voice construction in English. One of the equivalents in Spanish is "se le preguntó (a él)," an example of the pasiva refleja construction. (The voz pasiva (passive voice) equivalent would be "Él fue preguntado.")

"Se le olvidó" is an example of the "no-fault se" construction in Spanish. Its literal translation is '(it) forgot itself on him.' No comparison can be made between a no-fault construction and the pasiva refleja. The pronoun se is used in several Spanish constructions, all yielding a different English translation.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I agree with Rusty.
"Se" has several meanings and uses.
You may find a useful discussion here (http://forums.tomisimo.org/showthread.php?t=13735). :)

[Sang]

it made sense, thanks Rusty!

[Rusty]

You're welcome!