Different uses of Se in Spanish

"Se" is a very short Spanish word that has different functions. Here are the main ones. 

Reflexive pronoun

Reflexive pronouns in Spanish are:

We use these reflexive pronouns with certain verbs where the action is performed upon the subject.

"Se" is the reflexive pronoun used here to refer to either he, she, you ["usted" or "ustedes" form] or they. Here are some examples:

See Conjugate reflexive verbs in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente)

Reciprocal pronoun

"Se" is also a reciprocal pronoun in Spanish. There are actions that we perform to/on each other. In this case we use the reflexive pronouns for the plural subjects: nos for nosotros, os for vosotros and se for ellos or ustedes. Here are some examples:

 To learn more about reciprocal actions see Reciprocal verbs in Spanish and position of the reflexive pronoun

Indirect object pronoun (se = le/les)

When we have indirect object pronouns le or les followed by a direct object pronoun lo, la, los, las, the indirect object pronoun becomes “se”:

Le lo dije =

Les la di =

Le los regalo = 

Les las encendí =

Using le/les instead of se in these cases is incorrect.

For more information about this use of se see Spanish pronouns le / les become se when used with lo, la, los, las (indirect with direct pronouns)

Pronominal verbs

Some verbs are used pronominally, using a reflexive pronoun. The pronoun is part of the verbal structure and gives the verb a specific meaning: some pronominal verbs are for example:

Using the reflexive pronoun or not using it changes the meaning of the verb. 

Se aspectual

To reinforce the action of a verb we use the reflexive pronouns; this way we reflect the more intense involvement of the subject in that action, or we express the completion of that action too. Typical verbs using this “se aspectual” are comer and beber:

Also typically used with “ir”, not when going to a place but when “leaving” a place.

Here is more information about this see The Spanish Se aspectual

Se pasiva refleja

"Se" is used as a more "relaxed" way to create a passive sentence, it is more common than the passive with ser. We use "se" with a conjugated verb in the tense that we need each time (without ser), for example:

For more details about the passive this way, see Forming the Spanish passive with se (la pasiva refleja)

Se impersonal

One way to form an impersonal sentence is by usind "se" with verbs that are intransitive. Here are some examples:

Se Accidental

"Se" is often used with certain verbs to make the effect of the action more accidental or unintentional. Some examples are:

For more details about the passive this way, see Using the "accidental" reflexive (se) with an indirect object pronoun

See also:

• Expressing instructions and general statements in Spanish with the impersonal se = one
• Using se debe/se puede to say You must/you can (impersonal sentences)