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The use of "se" I just translated a podcast transcript and I am confused by the use of "se" in these sentences: 1) "Los idiomas se les dan bien a los niños, pero ya de mayor es imposible." The sentence is saying: languages are good for kids, but for those already old - it's impossible. The "les" is referring to "a los niños". Yet, I can't figure out what "se" is used for. It doesn't seem to fit any of my four rules. 2) Seguramente se te ocurrirá algo. The sentence is saying "Surely, something will occur to you". I understand the use of "te" to specify "to you". Yet, why use "se"? Is the reflexive ocurrirse being used here? If so, isn't that saying: "something" is occurring onto itself onto you?

Answers · 8

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"Se", in this case, is a reflexive pronoun, which is only used to change the meaning of the verb. "Ocurrir" means "to happen", but "ocurrirse" is kind of "to come up with", it is something you just think and work out. "Dar" means "to give", but if you add "se", "darse bien algo" means "to have a knack for something", although "darse", with nothing more, can mean "to happen", for example. I hope I've been helpful. Best regards, Carmen.
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Hola Roger, In both sentences, “se” es un pronombre átono o de complemento (complement pronoun); in both cases, “se” is used as an indirect object. When we have both objects (direct + indirect) in a sentence, we need to use “se” e.g. Juan vendió UN AUTO. LO vendió barato. [un auto/Lo (DIRECT OBJ)] Compré el auto A JUAN. LE compré el auto. [a Juan/Le (INDIRECT OBJ)] SE LO compré. “Se” (IND OBJ.) “lo” (DIR OBJ.) “Se” Forma átona del pron. pers. masculino y femenino. Sing. y pl. de tercera persona Hope this super brief explanation and example helped ;)

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