Impersonal Construction with se

Impersonal expressions don’t reference a specific person. Rather, they make reference to people in general and are used to make general statements or questions about what they, one, or you do. That is what makes them impersonal!

You can use impersonal expressions to talk about how things are done according to custom, rule, or general consensus. They are also helpful for asking for directions, finding out how to say things properly, asking what the rules are in a specific place, making general statements, and so on.

Se vive a gusto en Mérida.

Life is good in Merida.

Se come bien en la playa.

You eat well at the beach.

If an infinitive or a singular noun follows the verb, you use the usted/él/ella form.

 se + a third person singular verb.

Se habla español aquí.

Spanish is spoken here.

If an infinitive or a plural noun follows the verb, you use the ustedes/ellos/ellas form.

 se + a third person plural verb.

Se publican todas las entrevistas.

All the interviews are published.