7 ways of expressing impersonality in Spanish

7 ways of expressing impersonality in Spanish

One of the trickiest aspects for learners is understanding and using the myriad of grammatical structures and expressions that native speakers use in daily conversations. Expressing impersonality is one such concept that we use constantly in English, often without even realising it. In Spanish, there are multiple ways to convey the same sentiment, each with its nuances. As an experienced Spanish language teacher, I will delve into seven distinct ways to express impersonality in Spanish, providing context, examples, and explanations to help you grasp their use in everyday interactions.

Impersonal Se

One of the most common ways to express impersonality in Spanish is by using the impersonal “se.” This construction is used to make general statements or refer to people in general without specifying who is performing the action. It’s equivalent to the passive voice or general “you” in English.

Example
– Spanish: Se habla español aquí.
– English: Spanish is spoken here.

In this example, “se” indicates that Spanish is spoken by people in general, without identifying a specific subject. This structure is extremely useful for making broad statements and is commonly used in signs, instructions, and general observations.

Passive Voice

The passive voice in Spanish is another way to create impersonal sentences. It is formed using a form of the verb “ser” followed by the past participle of the main verb. This construction shifts the focus from who is performing the action to the action itself or its recipient.

Example
– Spanish: El libro fue escrito por Gabriel García Márquez.
– English: The book was written by Gabriel García Márquez.

In this case, the emphasis is on the book and its creation rather than on the author. The passive voice is particularly useful in formal writing and when the doer of the action is unknown or irrelevant.

Use of “Uno”

“Uno” (one) is used similarly to the English “one” to express general statements or opinions without specifying who is involved. It’s an informal way to speak about people in general.

Example
– Spanish: Uno nunca sabe lo que puede pasar.
– English: One never knows what might happen.

This expression is ideal for philosophical statements or general observations where you want to avoid pointing to a specific person.

Third Person Plural

Using the third person plural form of the verb can also indicate impersonality. This construction implies that an unspecified group of people performs the action.

Example
– Spanish: Dicen que va a llover mañana.
– English: They say it’s going to rain tomorrow.

Here, “dicen” (they say) doesn’t refer to any specific group but rather to people in general, creating an impersonal statement.

Expressions with “Hay que”

The expression “hay que” followed by an infinitive is used to indicate necessity or obligation without specifying who must perform the action. It translates to “one must” or “it is necessary to” in English.

Example
– Spanish: Hay que estudiar para el examen.
– English: One must study for the exam.

This structure is useful for giving advice, instructions, or expressing general rules and obligations in an impersonal manner.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns like “alguien” (someone) and “nadie” (no one) can also be used to create impersonal statements. They help to convey actions or states without identifying specific individuals.

Example
– Spanish: Alguien dejó sus llaves aquí.
– English: Someone left their keys here.

Using indefinite pronouns is a straightforward way to keep statements impersonal while still conveying necessary information.

Using “Se” with Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs can be made impersonal by using “se.” This construction is particularly common in instructions and descriptions where the subject is not specified.

Example
– Spanish: Se vive bien en esta ciudad.
– English: One lives well in this city.

This use of “se” provides a general statement about living conditions without referring to a specific person or group.

Understanding the Challenges

Learning a new language involves more than just memorising vocabulary and grammar rules; it also requires understanding the cultural and contextual nuances that shape how the language is used. One of the areas where this is particularly evident is in expressing impersonality. Some structures do not always have direct equivalents in Spanish.

In English, the impersonal “you” is frequently used to make general statements or to describe hypothetical situations. For example, “You never know what will happen” or “If you work hard, you will succeed.” This usage is understood as referring to people in general rather than the person being spoken to directly. However, translating this directly into Spanish can result in confusion. In Spanish, using “tú” (the informal “you”) in such contexts might be interpreted as addressing the listener specifically, rather than making a general statement.

Example
– English: You should always look both ways before crossing the street.
– Direct Translation to Spanish: Tú siempre debes mirar a ambos lados antes de cruzar la calle.

While this sentence is grammatically correct, it can sound overly direct or personal in Spanish. A more appropriate translation might involve the impersonal “se” or another impersonal construction to convey the general advice without addressing the listener directly.

Improved Translation
– Spanish: Siempre hay que mirar a ambos lados antes de cruzar la calle.

Another common impersonal structure in English is the use of passive voice, where the subject of the sentence is acted upon rather than performing the action. For instance, “The book was written by an unknown author” or “Mistakes were made.” In Spanish, while the passive voice exists, it is used less frequently, and overusing it can make the language sound awkward or overly formal. Instead, Spanish often prefers active constructions or uses the impersonal “se.”

Example
– English: Mistakes were made.
– Direct Translation to Spanish: Los errores fueron cometidos.

This translation is correct but can sound stilted. A more natural Spanish expression might be:

Improved Translation
– Spanish: Se cometieron errores.

The English indefinite pronouns “one” and “they” also pose challenges. Sentences like “One should always be honest” or “They say it will rain tomorrow” use impersonal pronouns to generalise statements. Spanish does not use “uno” (one) in the same impersonal way, and translating “they” directly can lead to misunderstandings. Instead, Spanish uses constructions like “hay que” or impersonal “se.”

Example
– English: One should always be honest.
– Direct Translation to Spanish: Uno siempre debe ser honesto.

This can sound peculiar in Spanish. A better approach is:

Improved Translation
– Spanish: Hay que ser siempre honesto.

By understanding these differences, learners can avoid direct translations that may lead to confusion and instead adopt more natural Spanish expressions. This nuanced understanding is crucial for effective communication and is a focus in the personalised online Spanish lessons at The Spanish Language Factory. With tailored lessons and expert guidance, you can master these subtleties and speak Spanish with confidence and clarity.

Mastering these seven methods of expressing impersonality in Spanish will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and naturally in various contexts. Whether you’re giving advice, making general observations, or writing formally, understanding how to use impersonal structures can help you convey your message clearly and appropriately.

At The Spanish Language Factory, we specialise in helping learners navigate these complex grammatical structures through personalised online Spanish lessons. Our approach, which includes neurolanguage coaching®, ensures that you gain practical, real-world language skills. I invite you to join me for a free 20-minute lesson and discover how enjoyable and effective learning Spanish can be. Let’s make your journey to fluency an enriching and rewarding experience.