Pattern
The impersonal/passive se is used for general statements without a specific subject: Se vorbește românește aici (Romanian is spoken here / One speaks Romanian here). Se mănâncă bine (One eats well / The food is good).
Explanation
Romanian uses the reflexive particle se to form a generic/impersonal voice — similar to French on or English "one"/"people." The verb is in the 3rd person (singular or plural, matching the grammatical subject), and se replaces the agent. Se vorbește multe limbi în România (Many languages are spoken in Romania). Aici se servește o cafea excelentă (An excellent coffee is served here).
This construction often functions as a passive: instead of saying "people speak Romanian here" or "Romanian is spoken here," Romanian condenses it: Se vorbește românește aici. The verb agrees with what would be the direct object in active voice — se vorbește (one speaks, sg.) but se vând cărți (books are sold, pl. because cărți is plural).
Common signs in Romanian use this: Se închide la 21:00 (Closes at 21:00). Nu se fumează (No smoking). Se vinde (For sale).
Don't confuse this impersonal se with the reflexive se (he/she does to himself). Same particle, different function. Context tells you which: Se spală pe mâini (He washes his hands — reflexive) vs. Se spală bine cu apa asta (One washes well with this water — impersonal).
Examples
| Romanian | English |
|---|---|
| Se vorbește românește aici. | Romanian is spoken here. |
| Se mănâncă bine la acest restaurant. | One eats well at this restaurant. |
| Nu se fumează în clădire. | Smoking is not allowed in the building. |
| Se vând legume proaspete. | Fresh vegetables are sold. |
| Se spune că va ploua. | They say it will rain. |
Common mistakes
- Adding a subject: Oamenii se vorbește is wrong; impersonal se needs no subject.
- Using indicative without "se": Vorbește românește aici would mean "He speaks Romanian here," not the general statement.
- Confusing reflexive and impersonal "se": Context distinguishes — same particle, different functions.