Spanish grammar
Passive se: se alquila, se vende, se busca
Understand and use rental, sale and wanted notices with the passive se.
From the scene Se alquila piso (Flat for rent)
In short
When nobody is named, use se + verb: se alquila, se vende. The verb agrees with the thing: se alquilan dos pisos.
- for rent (one) se alquila
- for rent (more than one) se alquilan
- for sale se vende
- wanted se busca
- are accepted se aceptan
Your turn
Which one goes with for rent (more than one)?
Options: se alquila · se vende · se alquilan
Show answer
for rent (more than one) → se alquilan
How it works
When nobody specific is named as doing the action, Spanish uses se + verb: se alquila (it is for rent), se vende (it is for sale), se busca (wanted).
Good to know
The verb agrees with what follows it: se alquila un piso, but se alquilan dos pisos.
for rent (one) se alquila
Nuria
Mira este cartel: "Se alquila piso en el tercero."
Look at this notice: "Flat for rent on the third floor."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Mira este cartel: "(blank) piso en el tercero."
Options: Se alquila · Se alquilan · Se vende
Show answer
Nuria
Mira este cartel: "Se alquila piso en el tercero."
Look at this notice: "Flat for rent on the third floor."
for rent (more than one) se alquilan
Javi
¿Solo uno? Aquí, en este anuncio, se alquilan dos pisos.
Only one? Here, in this ad, two flats are for rent.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿Solo uno? Aquí, en este anuncio, (blank) dos pisos.
Options: se alquilan · se vende · se busca
Show answer
Javi
¿Solo uno? Aquí, en este anuncio, se alquilan dos pisos.
Only one? Here, in this ad, two flats are for rent.
for sale se vende
Nuria
Y este otro dice: "Se vende piso totalmente reformado."
And this other one says: "Flat for sale, fully renovated."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Y este otro dice: "(blank) piso totalmente reformado."
Options: Se alquila · Se alquilan · Se vende
Show answer
Nuria
Y este otro dice: "Se vende piso totalmente reformado."
And this other one says: "Flat for sale, fully renovated."
wanted se busca
Nuria
Un piso, Doña Elena. Mire: "Se busca inquilino sin mascotas."
A flat, Doña Elena. Look: "Tenant wanted, no pets."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Un piso, Doña Elena. Mire: "(blank) inquilino sin mascotas."
Options: Se alquila · Se alquilan · Se busca
Show answer
Nuria
Un piso, Doña Elena. Mire: "Se busca inquilino sin mascotas."
A flat, Doña Elena. Look: "Tenant wanted, no pets."
are accepted se aceptan
Elena
¿Sin mascotas? ¿Y se aceptan novios colombianos?
No pets? And are Colombian boyfriends accepted?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿Sin mascotas? ¿Y (blank) novios colombianos?
Options: se alquila · se alquilan · se aceptan
Show answer
Elena
¿Sin mascotas? ¿Y se aceptan novios colombianos?
No pets? And are Colombian boyfriends accepted?
Common mistake
Not se alquila or se vende here. Dos pisos — plural.
¿Solo uno? Aquí, en este anuncio, se alquilan dos pisos.
Only one? Here, in this ad, two flats are for rent.
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
| for rent (one) | se alquila |
|---|---|
| for rent (more than one) | se alquilan |
| for sale | se vende |
| wanted | se busca |
| are accepted | se aceptan |
More lines from the story
- ElenaYo no, cariño. Pero en mi vida ¡se busca marido!Not me, darling. But in my life a husband is wanted!