What's the difference between the impersonal "se" construction and the passive "se" construction in Spanish? Although they look rather similar (and may be confused with reflexive verbs as well!), they function slightly differently, which we hope to illuminate for you today. 

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The Impersonal "Se" Construction in Spanish

“Impersonal se" constructions, which consist of the pronoun "se" plus a verb conjugated in the third person singular, are called such because they describe people in general rather than any specific person. In other words, no specific agent performs the action of the verb. For this reason, impersonal "se" constructions are used to describe, for example, the manner in which things are done customarily in a particular place or to convey general principles. In English, we tend to express such concepts by using the universal “you,” “they,” “one,” “people," or sometimes omitting the personal pronoun altogether. Let’s take a look at some examples from our Yabla Spanish library. 

1.

Bueno, se baila mucho,

Well, people dance a lot,

eh... se come bastante,

um... people eat quite a bit,

y se espera hasta las doce para desear la feliz Navidad.

and people wait until twelve to wish [people] Merry Christmas.

Captions 42-44, Cleer y Lida - La Navidad en Colombia

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Note that all the verbs in this example are conjugated in the third person singular, and the speaker describes actions that are done customarily (by people in general rather than a specific person) during the Christmas season in Colombia. And, while the translator opted to employ "people" to express this idea, the same sentence could read, "you dance a lot... you eat quite a bit... and you wait..." or, more formally, "one dances... one eats... and one waits." Let's take a look at another example:

2.

Se duerme de noche y se vive de día

One sleeps at night and lives during the day

Caption 38, Calle 13 - No hay nadie como tú

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The lyrics to this catchy tune by Calle 13 refer to the way things are in the world in general, where "one sleeps" (or "you" or "people sleep") at night and live during the day. Let's move on to the next example:

3.

Es mi furgoneta, una camper van,

It's my van, a camper van,

una furgoneta camperizada, que se dice en español.

a "furgoneta camperizada" [camper van], like you say in Spanish.

Captions 9-10, Amaya - "Mi camper van"

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Alternative translations for se dice in this sentence include "like people say," "as is said," or "like they say" because its intention is to describe what something is customarily called in Spanish. Are you getting the hang of it? 

4.

Y juntas vamos a ver algunas de aquellas situaciones

And together, we're going to look at some of those situations

que os podéis encontrar en algunos de aquellos países

that you might encounter in some of those countries

en donde se habla español.

where Spanish is spoken.

Captions 4-6, Karla e Isabel - Alquilar una habitación - Part 1

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Se habla español is impersonal because it explains that people in general speak Spanish in certain countries, rather than any specific person. An alternative choice here might have been" "in some of those countries where they speak Spanish." Let's look at one last one: 

5.

Ahora se llega a la cima bajando por la sierra

Now you reach the summit by going down the mountain

Caption 23, Calle 13 - Ojos Color Sol ft. Silvio Rodríguez

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Note that directions are another common thing for which the impersonal "se" construction is utilized. This is similar to English, where we ask "How do you get there?" (¿Cómo se llega ahí?" in Spanish) when what we really want to find out is the objectively correct way to go. 

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The Passive "Se" Construction in Spanish 

In contrast to the impersonal "se" construction in Spanish, in the passive "se," although a specific agent usually does perform the action, said agent is often unknown or unmentioned. Furthermore, the verb in this construction must be a transitive verb, or verb that transmits some action to a direct object. So, this would describe something that "is" or "was" done, for example, to something else, which is most typically inanimate (non-living). Additionally, the verb can be singular or plural depending upon whether the noun/direct object in question is singular or plural, which is not the case with the impersonal "se" construction, where the verb is always singular. Let's look at some examples:

1.

Here, someone specific is renting out a room in a shared apartment; we just don't know who it is. The verb alquilar is a transitive verb because a direct object (una habitación, or "a room") receives its action. And, since the noun una habitación is singular, the verb has been conjugated in its third person singular form: alquila. 

2.

Aquí se venden barcos, ¿no?

Here boats are sold, right?

Caption 78, 75 minutos - Gangas para ricos - Part 20

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This example is similar in that the agent who is selling boats is unknown, and the verb vender (to sell) is transitive because it exerts its action onto the noun (los) barcos. However, because the noun los barcos is plural, the verb has been conjugated in the third person plural: venden. 

3.

Are you wondering what is why in Spanish? Or maybe you're confused about because in Spanish? You're not alone! Understanding the difference between porque and por que (along with their accented variations) can be challenging even for advanced learners.

These four distinct forms represent important concepts in Spanish:

Por qué = Why in Spanish (asking for reasons)
Porque = Because in Spanish (giving reasons)
Porqué = The reason (a noun)
Por que = For which/that (in relative clauses)

Though they look and sound similar, each has its own specific grammatical role. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the difference between why and because in Spanish, explain when to use them correctly, and help you master this tricky aspect of Spanish grammar with plenty of real-world examples.

Understanding Why and Because in Spanish: The Four Forms

Spanish has these four different forms that sound nearly identical but serve distinct grammatical functions. Let's explore what is the difference between why and because in Spanish:

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1. Por qué (two words with an accent): The Spanish Word for "Why"

Por qué is the Spanish equivalent of "why" in English. It's the combination of the preposition por and the interrogative pronoun qué. Written as two separate words with an accent mark on qué, this form is used to ask about the cause or reason for something. Por qué introduces interrogative and exclamatory sentences, both causal and non-causal, whether direct or indirect. Let's see some examples:

Y Ekain, ¿por qué te gusta el surf?

And Ekain, why do you like surfing?

Caption 52, El Aula Azul Un día de surf

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No entiendo por qué los medios publican semejante mentira.

I don't understand why the media would publish such a lie.

Caption 38, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 12

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¡Y por qué no probarlo!

And why not try it?

Caption 36, María Fernanda Economía durante el COVID-19

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2. Porque (one word, no accent): The Spanish Word for "Because"

Porque is how you say "because" in Spanish. It's a single word with no accent mark. The stress falls on the first syllable. It's a conjunction used to explain the cause of something and can be substituted with phrases like ya que (since), dado que (given that), or puesto que (since).

Hoy estoy muy emocionada porque estoy aquí con Catalina García,

Today, I am very excited because I am here with Catalina Garcia,

Caption 5, Monsieur Periné Entrevista

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Understanding porque in Spanish is essential as it's commonly used to answer questions that start with por qué (why):

¿Y por qué no fueron donde la tal Margarita esa para traer al Duque de allá? Porque no sabemos dónde vive esa vieja.

And why didn't you go to that Margarita woman's place to bring Duque from there? Because we don't know where that lady lives.

Captions 1-2, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 7

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Porque also frequently introduces reasons without a direct question:

Te dejo porque aquí está pasando algo muy raro.

I'll let you go because something very strange is going on here.

Caption 35, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 2

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3. Porqué (one word with an accent): The Spanish Noun for "Reason"

Porqué is written as one word with an accent mark. It's a masculine noun meaning "reason," "cause," or "motive." As a noun, it appears with articles or other determinants and can be pluralized.

Don Pepe y doña Susana nunca entendieron el porqué de la extraña risa de su hija en su primer día de universidad.

Don Pepe and Ms. Susana never understood the reason for their daughter's strange laughter on her first day of college.

Captions 36-38, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 1 - Part 11

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"Todo tiene su porqué".

"There's a reason for everything" [literally "Everything has its reason"].

Caption 47, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 1

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"No supe nunca los porqués de su separación".

"I never found out the reasons for their separation."

Caption 26, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 2

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In English, porqué can also sometimes be translated as "why" when referring to the reason behind something:

Y ahora os explico el porqué.

And now, I'll explain to you why.

Caption 6, San Sebastián Playa de la Zurriola

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4. Por que (two words, no accent): The Spanish Phrase for "For Which"

Por que appears in two main situations:

When que is a relative pronoun meaning "which" or "that" (you can replace it with phrases like el que/cual or la que/cual):

"La razón por que he dimitido es de dominio público". Separado y sin tilde. Podríamos decir: "La razón por la que" o "por la cual he dimitido".

"The reason why I resigned is common knowledge." Separated and without a tilde. We could say: "The reason that" or "for which I've resigned."

Captions 19-22, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 2

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When "por" and "que" happen to appear next to each other because "por" is required by a verb and "que" introduces a following clause:

"Son muchos los motivos por que decidió mudarse".

"There are many reasons why he decided to move."

Caption 36, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 2

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Conclusion: Mastering Why and Because in Spanish

Learning the differences between por qué, porque, porqué, and por que might seem challenging at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Remember these key points:

Por qué (separated, with accent) asks questions and means "why"
Porque (together, no accent) provides reasons and means "because"
Porqué (together, with accent) is a noun meaning "reason" or "the why"
Por que (separated, no accent) means "for which" or refers to the combination of the preposition "por" with the conjunction "que"

Paying attention to these distinctions will significantly improve both your written and spoken Spanish. It's one of those grammar points that, once mastered, will immediately make your Spanish sound more natural and correct.

Keep practicing by identifying these forms in Spanish videos, books, or conversations. Before you know it, you'll be using them correctly without even thinking about it!

¿Por qué estudiar estas diferencias? Porque te ayudarán a comunicarte mejor. El porqué de tu éxito será la práctica constante y la situación por que pasarás será cada vez más fácil.

 

Why study these differences? Because they'll help you communicate better. The reason for your success will be constant practice, and the situation you'll go through will be increasingly easier.

Don't forget to send us your questions and comments, and continue exploring our Spanish lessons for more insights into this beautiful language. ¡Hasta la próxima!

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