Say More with Less: The Power of Se Aspectual and Dativo de Interés in Spanish
[Para español, ver abajo.] Say More with Less: The Power of Aspectual Se and Dative of Interest in Spanish This article explores two grammatical concepts in Spanish— aspectual se and dative of interest —both of which use optional particles that add nuance and make you sound more like a native Spanish speaker! Aspectual SE "Aspectual se" involves using reflexive pronouns ( me, te, SE, nos, os ) with verbs that aren't typically reflexive to convey completion, emphasis, or subjectivity. "Mi hermana come pizza" (My sister eats pizza) describes a habitual action . "Mi hermana se come la pizza" (My sister is eating up the pizza) implies she eats all of it, adding emphasis and a sense of completion . The sister could have said in first person after finishing up the pizza: " Me comí la piza porque se iba a enfriar" (I ate the pizza because it was going to get cold). The "se" will change according to the person. Note that aspe