Impersonal se

Impersonal and Passive Se

Level 6

Se constructions can present a general practice or an event without naming an agent.

How It Works

Se constructions can present a general practice or an event without naming an agent. Distinguish these from genuinely reflexive actions; agreement and transitivity depend on the construction.

Tukaj se ne kadi states a general prohibition without naming a smoker. Ta knjiga se dobro prodaja has an expressed subject and describes how the book sells. These uses should not be translated mechanically with itself.

Examples (3)

  1. Tukaj se ne kadi.

    Smoking is not allowed here.

  2. O tem se veliko govori.

    There is a lot of talk about this.

  3. Ta knjiga se dobro prodaja.

    This book sells well.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Impersonal seLevel 6Impersonal and Passive Se

Learn This First

Distinguish lexical or reflexive se from impersonal and passive-like constructions.

Words in This Pattern