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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn the Spanish impersonal pronoun "se" used in passive constructions, general statements, advice, and impersonal expressions. Understand key examples like "Se reciclan los envases" and "Se recomienda apagar las luces" to master its different grammatical functions at an A2 level.
  1. 'Se' + verb in infinitive → giving instructions.
  2. 'Se' + verb in third person → to indicate generalisations.
  3. In reflexives, se removes the specific subject.
Ejemplo (Example)Uso (Use)
Se reciclan los envases. (Containers are recycled.)Pasiva refleja. (Reflexive passive)
Se debe reducir el uso de plástico. (The use of plastic should be reduced.)Norma general. (General rule.)
Se recomienda apagar las luces. (It is recommended to turn off the lights.)Consejo (Advice).
Se venden productos ecológicos. (Ecological products are sold.)Uso impersonal. (Impersonal use.)
Se lavan las manos antes de comer. (Hands are washed before eating.)Reflexivo impersonal. (Impersonal reflexive)

Exceptions!

  1. In the reflexive passive, the verb agrees with the object.

Exercise 1: El pronombre impersonal "se"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Se compran, Se recicla, Se apaga, Se vive, Se compra, Se, Se ahorran, Se pueden

1.
... reducen los residuos en esta empresa.
(Waste is reduced in this company.)
2.
... recursos naturales cuando se recicla correctamente.
(Natural resources are saved when recycling is done correctly.)
3.
... la luz cuando no se necesita para ahorrar energía.
(The light is turned off when it is not needed to save energy.)
4.
... en casas más ecológicas para ahorrar energía.
(People live in more ecological houses to save energy.)
5.
... hacer pequeños cambios para ser más ecológico.
(Small changes can be made to be more environmentally friendly.)
6.
... mucha ropa de segunda mano.
(A lot of second-hand clothes are bought.)
7.
... productos ecológicos en la tienda.
(Ecological products are bought in the shop.)
8.
... el papel en la escuela para ayudar al planeta.
(Paper is recycled at school to help the planet.)

Introduction to the Impersonal Pronoun "se" in Spanish

This lesson focuses on understanding and using the impersonal pronoun "se", a versatile element in Spanish grammar that can indicate impersonal actions, passive constructions, general rules, and advice. It is essential for expressing ideas without specifying the subject, which is common in everyday spoken and written Spanish.

Key Uses of "se"

  • Pasiva refleja (Reflexive passive): This use transforms a sentence into passive voice, where "se" is combined with verb conjugated in the third person to indicate that an action is happening to the subject, for example, Se reciclan los envases. (Containers are recycled.)
  • Norma general (General rule): Here, "se" expresses customs or general truths, as in Se debe reducir el uso de plástico. (Plastic use should be reduced.)
  • Consejo (Advice): The form can also offer recommendations, such as Se recomienda apagar las luces. (It is recommended to turn off the lights.)
  • Uso impersonal (Impersonal use): When referring to unspecified subjects involved in an action, like Se venden productos ecológicos. (Ecological products are sold.)
  • Reflexivo impersonal (Impersonal reflexive): Where "se" removes a specific subject from reflexive verbs, for example, Se lavan las manos antes de comer. (Hands are washed before eating.)

Structure and Agreement

Note that the verb following "se" agrees in number with the object (singular or plural), not with the subject, as the subject is generally implicit or omitted. Also, "se" + infinitive forms are commonly used to give instructions or commands without specifying the subject.

Comparing English and Spanish Impersonal Expressions

Unlike English, which often uses passive constructions with "it" or passive voice, Spanish relies heavily on "se" for impersonal and passive meanings. For example, English uses "The packages are recycled," whereas Spanish says Se reciclan los envases.. Similarly, advice in English may be phrased impersonally, but in Spanish, it's customary to use "se" with a verb in the third person to give recommendations.

Useful phrases to remember include "Se debe..." (One must...), "Se recomienda..." (It is recommended...), and "Se venden..." (They sell...). Understanding and practicing these forms will help you communicate general ideas clearly in Spanish.

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