Using "se" as a neutral

Using "se" as a neutral
 

Hey guys,

Just curious, how exactly does "se" work as a general/ neutral word? I am having trouble explaining it even in English (lol) but for example, we see things like "se habla español" or "como se dice ..." and a whole bunch of other phrases I can't get off the top of my head. I actually saw a new one the other day, and its meaning was translated to me, but I forgot.

Thanks again for looking at this and I appreciate the help. Good to see you all again

The examples you gave use the 'passive se' and the 'impersonal se'.

Impersonal se:
¿Cómo se dice ...? = How does one (or the impersonally-used 'you') say ...?
Se oye el grito de los fantasmas. = One can hear the screams of the ghosts.

The 'impersonal se' is used when the subject is used impersonally (in general).


Passive se:
Se habla español. = Spanish is spoken (here)

The English translation is in the passive voice (the agent, those who speak, isn't mentioned). The subject is receiving the action of the verb in a passive voice construction.
There is a Spanish passive voice, but it isn't used nearly as much as we use the construct in English. Learn to use the passive 'se', instead, and your sentences will sound better to the Spanish ear.

Adding to Rusty's answer: impersonal sentences constructed with "se" are called "voz pasiva refleja", and they're used when the subject doesn't have to be explicit (either because it's irrelevant or because it's already known).

·Se siente bien el aire frío con tanto calor.
·En la televisión sólo se habla de la crisis financiera.
·Ya se te ha dicho que no interrumpas las conversaciones ajenas.
·No se le ha entregado el informe al jefe.
·Cada vez se escuchan más predicciones de que el mundo se va a acabar.
·Se nos tiene que explicar por qué se nos suben los impuestos.

Literally "como se dice" = How it is said

Se habla español = Spanish is spoken

;)

Well, correct but not literal. Literally would be "How it says itself". :)

Rusty, a mistake: "fantasmas".

¿impassive = not pasive?

Two mistakes. Thanks!

Passive 'se' is what I meant to type (like I did a bit higher up).

Correct, but I guess what I wanted to say that transliterate to "How it is said"

:)