If you’ve ever wondered how to say things like “Spanish is spoken here” or “The book was written by…” in Spanish, you’ve come to the right place! The passive voice might sound complicated, but we’ll break it down into simple, easy-to-understand pieces.
What is Passive Voice Anyway?
Let’s start with a simple concept: in active voice, we say who does the action. In passive voice, we focus on what receives the action.
Active: Maria writes the letter. (Maria = doer)
Passive: The letter is written by Maria. (letter = receiver)
Spanish has two main ways to create passive sentences, and both are easier than you think!
Method 1: The “Ser” Passive (The True Passive)
Think of it like this:
Thing + form of SER + action word ending in -ado/-ido + by + person
Simple Examples:
- El café es preparado por el barista. (The coffee is prepared by the barista)
- La cena fue cocinada por mi abuela. (The dinner was cooked by my grandmother)
- Los regalos son abiertos por los niños. (The gifts are opened by the children)
Easy Rules to Remember:
- SER matches the time (present, past, future)
- The action word matches the thing (-ado for “he”, -ada for “she”, -ados for “they-male”, -adas for “they-female”)
- Use “por” for “by”
Practice Spotting:
- ✅ La puerta es cerrada por el profesor. (The door is closed by the teacher)
- ✅ Las ventanas fueron abiertas por María. (The windows were opened by Maria)
Method 2: The “Se” Construction (The Easy Alternative)
This is where Spanish gets clever! Instead of using SER + action word, you can often use a much simpler “se” construction.
Type 1: “Se” for General Statements
Use when: Talking about general rules, habits, or “how things are done”
Pattern: se + verb
Examples:
- Se habla español aquí. (Spanish is spoken here)
- Se come a las 8 en España. (People eat at 8 in Spain)
- Se necesita pasaporte. (A passport is needed)
Type 2: “Se” with Specific Things
Use when: Talking about specific things, but not mentioning who does it
Pattern: se + verb (matching the thing) + thing
Examples:
- Se venden manzanas. (Apples are sold)
- Se alquilan bicicletas. (Bicycles are rented)
- Se necesitan voluntarios. (Volunteers are needed)
When to Use Which? Your Simple Decision Guide
Choose SER Passive when:
- You want to mention who does the action
- You’re writing something formal
- The “by who” is important
Example: El pastel fue hecho por mi madre. (The cake was made by my mother) – Here, “by my mother” is important!
Choose SE Construction when:
- You don’t care who does the action
- You’re speaking casually
- It’s a general statement
Example: Se venden pasteles aquí. (Cakes are sold here) – We don’t care who sells them!
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Wrong Endings
❌ La carta fue escribido (The letter was written – wrong!)
✅ La carta fue escrita (correct – matches “la carta”)
Easy Tip: Make the action word match the thing like an adjective!
Mistake 2: Wrong Verb Form with “Se”
❌ Se vende casas (Houses are sold – wrong!)
✅ Se venden casas (correct – “venden” matches “casas”)
Easy Tip: If the thing is plural, the verb should be plural too!
Mistake 3: Mixing Both Methods
❌ Se fue construido (wrong!)
✅ Fue construido OR Se construyó (correct – choose one!)
Real-Life Examples You’ll Actually Use
At a Restaurant:
- Se sirve desayuno hasta las 11. (Breakfast is served until 11)
- La comida es preparada por el chef. (The food is prepared by the chef)
Shopping:
- Se aceptan tarjetas de crédito. (Credit cards are accepted)
- Los precios son fijados por la empresa. (Prices are set by the company)
Travel:
- Se habla inglés en el hotel. (English is spoken at the hotel)
- Las habitaciones son limpiadas por el personal. (Rooms are cleaned by the staff)
Your Quick Cheat Sheet
| Situation | What to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mentioning WHO does it | SER + action word | El libro fue escrito por el autor |
| General rules | se + verb | Se conduce por la derecha |
| Specific things (no “who”) | se + verb (matching) + thing | Se venden flores |
| Formal writing | SER + action word | El documento fue firmado |
Practice Makes Perfect!
The best way to learn is by doing. Try these simple exercises:
- Change to passive: “El niño lee el libro” → _____
- Complete: “______ español en Argentina.” (Spanish is spoken in Argentina)
- Choose: “La casa (fue construida/se construyó) por mi abuelo.”
(Answers: 1. El libro es leído por el niño, 2. Se habla, 3. fue construida)
Ready to Test Your Skills?
Take our beginner-friendly Spanish Passive Voice Quiz to practice what you’ve learned with instant feedback and helpful explanations!
Remember These Key Points:
- SER passive = focus on who does it
- SE construction = focus on what happens
- Match your endings – action words work like adjectives
- Practice with real examples you’ll actually use
- Don’t overthink it – even native speakers mix these up sometimes!
Next Steps
Want to keep learning? Check out our other beginner Spanish guides or explore DELE B1 preparation materials if you’re working toward an official certificate.
You’ve got this! With a little practice, you’ll be using Spanish passive voice like a pro. 🌟
Learning Tip: Try to notice these constructions when you hear Spanish in movies, songs, or conversations. The more you recognize them, the more natural they’ll become!
