se dice que/se cree que
Impersonal Expressions
Use se dice que or se cree que to express what 'people say' or 'people believe' without specifying who.
How It Works
The phrases se dice que (it is said that) and se cree que (it is believed that) are fundamental for reporting information impersonally in Spanish. They allow you to state a fact, rumor, or opinion as common knowledge without attributing it to a specific person.
Structure:
The formula is fixed: se + verb in 3rd person singular + que + subordinate clause.
The main verb (e.g., dice, cree) is always in the third-person singular because the se here is impersonal, meaning the subject is an undefined 'people' or 'one'.
Other common verbs used in this structure include:
- se piensa que... (it is thought that...)
- se sabe que... (it is known that...)
- se comenta que... (it is commented that...)
- se rumorea que... (it is rumored that...)
Tense and Mood:
The verb in the main clause (dice, cree, etc.) can be in any tense (present, imperfect, future, etc.) to fit the context.
- Present: `Se dice que...` (It is said that...)
- Imperfect: `Se decía que...` (It was said that...)
- Future: `Se dirá que...` (It will be said that...)
Because these expressions report something as a generally held belief or fact, the verb in the subordinate clause is typically in the indicative mood. This contrasts with expressions of doubt like no creo que, which require the subjunctive.
Examples (5)
- Se dice que va a llover mañana.
It is said that it's going to rain tomorrow.
Word by Word: It is said that it is going to rain tomorrow.
- Se cree que el nuevo restaurante es excelente.
It is believed that the new restaurant is excellent.
Word by Word: It is believed that the new restaurant is excellent.
- En el pueblo se decía que la casa estaba embrujada.
In the town, it was said that the house was haunted.
Word by Word: In the town it was said that the house was haunted.
Here, the imperfect tense
decíais used to talk about a belief or rumor that existed in the past. - Se sabe que fumar es malo para la salud.
It is known that smoking is bad for your health.
Word by Word: It is known that smoking is bad for the health.
- Se piensa que los precios subirán el próximo mes.
It is thought that prices will go up next month.
Word by Word: It is thought that the prices will go up the next month.
Common Mistakes
Using a plural verb in the main clause.
Se dicen que los exámenes son difíciles.Se dice que los exámenes son difíciles.The verb in an impersonal
seexpression likese dice queis always in the third-person singular, regardless of whether the subject of the following clause is plural. The expression itself is singular.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'se dice que' and 'se cree que', you need to be familiar with the impersonal use of 'se' with third-person singular verbs. You also need to know the conjugation of the irregular verb 'decir' and how to use the conjunction 'que' to introduce a subordinate clause that explains what is being said or believed.
- se + Singular VerbImpersonal Se
The 'se dice/se cree' construction is a specific application of the impersonal 'se' used with third-person singular verbs to express general statements.
Level 4 - y/o/pero/porqueBasic Conjunctions
Understanding basic conjunctions is necessary to handle the 'que' clause that follows these impersonal expressions to link the statement to its content.
Foundations - pongo/digo/vengo/salgoFirst Person -go Verbs
The verb 'decir' (to say) is irregular, and its stem must be understood to correctly form 'se dice'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- no creo que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Disbelief
This pattern expresses a personal disbelief and requires the subjunctive. In contrast, 'se cree que' reports a general belief and typically uses the indicative because it's presented as a statement of common knowledge.
Level 3 - es importante que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Importance
Like 'se dice que', this is an impersonal expression. However, 'es importante que' expresses a subjective judgment or necessity and requires the subjunctive, while 'se dice que' reports information and uses the indicative.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice se dice que/se cree que in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Spanish lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
