Spanish grammar
Impersonal se
Explain everyday customs with the impersonal se.
From the scene Aquí se cena tarde (People have dinner late here)
In short
For what people in general do, use se + the él / ella form: aquí se cena tarde, así se saluda.
- people have dinner se cena
- you give one kiss se da un beso
- that is how people greet así se saluda
- what do you say? ¿qué se dice?
- you leave a tip se deja propina
Your turn
Which one goes with you give one kiss?
Options: se cena · así se saluda · se da un beso
Show answer
you give one kiss → se da un beso
How it works
To describe what people in general do — a custom — Spanish uses se + the él / ella form of the verb.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Poca, pero (blank). Unas monedas.
Options: se dejo · se dejan · se deja
Show answer
Poca, pero se deja. Unas monedas.
A little, but you do leave one. A few coins.
Good to know
Aquí se cena tarde (people have dinner late here), así se saluda (that is how people greet). Nobody specific is named.
people have dinner se cena
Javi
Pregunta por qué aquí se cena tan tarde.
She's asking why people here have dinner so late.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Pregunta por qué aquí (blank) tan tarde.
Options: se da un beso · así se saluda · se cena
Show answer
Javi
Pregunta por qué aquí se cena tan tarde.
She's asking why people here have dinner so late.
you give one kiss se da un beso
Your turn
What goes with se da un beso?
Options: you give one kiss · people have dinner · that is how people greet
Show answer
se da un beso → you give one kiss
that is how people greet así se saluda
Elena
Así se saluda en España: uno y luego otro.
That's how people greet in Spain: one and then the other.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) en España: uno y luego otro.
Options: Así se saluda · Se cena · Se da un beso
Show answer
Elena
Así se saluda en España: uno y luego otro.
That's how people greet in Spain: one and then the other.
what do you say? ¿qué se dice?
Javi
¿Y qué se dice cuando alguien te invita?
And what do you say when someone treats you?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿Y (blank) cuando alguien te invita?
Options: qué se dice · se cena · se da un beso
Show answer
Javi
¿Y qué se dice cuando alguien te invita?
And what do you say when someone treats you?
you leave a tip se deja propina
Common mistake
Not se ceno or cenar here. People in general.
Pregunta por qué aquí se cena tan tarde.
She's asking why people here have dinner so late.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| people have dinner | se cena |
|---|---|
| you give one kiss | se da un beso |
| that is how people greet | así se saluda |
| what do you say? | ¿qué se dice? |
| you leave a tip | se deja propina |
More lines from the story
- ElenaPoca, pero se deja. Unas monedas.A little, but you do leave one. A few coins.
- JaviA las siete. Mis papás están en el hotel comiendo galletas.At seven. My parents are at the hotel eating biscuits.
- ElenaDime, cariño. ¿Qué quiere saber?Tell me, dear. What does she want to know?