The word “se” has more than 10 different uses in Spanish.

And I bet this is one you don’t know.

It’s not the reflexive se from lavarse or vestirse.

This is the “se”, used when the action happens but the person who caused it is unknown.

Unlike English, in Spanish we can’t use an structure subject – verb in this case.

That’s why instead of saying “La puerta abrió,” we say:

  • The door opened → La puerta se abrió.
  • The ice cream melted → El helado se derritió.
  • The boats sank → Los barcos se hundieron.
  • The plates broke → Los platos se rompieron.

That little “se” is what allows us to express an action without an agent, naturally and fluently.

And this is just one of more than 10 different uses of “se” in Spanish.

If you’re at B2 level (or close to it), you’ll love this topic.

We explore it step by step in the new Aha Spanish course:

“The Many Faces of SE” — all the meanings, all the uses, in context. “The Many Faces of SE” — todos los significados, todos los usos, en contexto.

Forma parte de nuestro Aha Learning Program. It is part of our Aha Learning Program.

Más información aquí: ​verbum.biz/aha-spanish-courses​