B2 Passive & Reported Speech 6 min read कठिन

Impersonal Structures

Use the se reflexive-passive to report information objectively and focus on the action rather than the actor.
सीखा हुआ चिह्नित करें
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'se' + 3rd person singular to talk about general facts or rumors without naming a specific person.

  • Use 'se' + verb for general statements: 'Se spune că...' (It is said that...).
  • Use 3rd person plural for 'they say': 'Spun că va ploua' (They say it will rain).
  • Keep the verb in 3rd person singular unless the subject is plural: 'Se vând mere' (Apples are sold).
👤 (Unknown) ➡️ se + Verb (3rd person) + că...

Overview

Ever wonder how to share gossip without blaming anyone? Or how to explain a rule without sounding like a bossy drill sergeant? Welcome to the world of impersonal structures in Romanian.
These patterns are your best friends when the action matters more than the person doing it. In English, we often say it is said or people say. In Romanian, we use the reflexive-passive. It is elegant.
It is efficient. It makes you sound like a native speaker in seconds. You will see these structures in news reports, scientific papers, and everyday chats.
They help you stay objective. They help you keep secrets. Think of them as a invisibility cloak for the subject of your sentence.
If you want to reach B2 level, you must master this. It is the bridge between basic talking and sophisticated communication. Let's dive into how you can use this grammar to sound like a pro.

How This Grammar Works

Romanian impersonal structures usually rely on the reflexive pronoun se. This little word does a lot of heavy lifting. It sits before the verb.
It tells the listener that the subject is general or unknown. It is like a grammar traffic light. It signals that we are focusing on the process, not the person.
For reported speech, we often pair this with că. For example, se spune că means
it is said that.
You aren't saying who said it. Maybe it was your neighbor.
Maybe it was the president. It doesn't matter! The information is what counts.
This structure is very common with verbs of saying, thinking, or perceiving. You will hear se aude că when someone is sharing a rumor. You will see se consideră că in a formal essay.
It creates a professional distance. It sounds much better than just saying people think.

Formation Pattern

1
Creating these structures is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps to build your own impersonal sentences:
2
Start with the reflexive pronoun se.
3
Choose a verb in the 3rd person singular or plural.
4
Use the singular if there is no specific object following it (e.g., se doarme bine aici).
5
Use the plural if the thing being acted upon is plural (e.g., se vând mere).
6
For reported speech, add the conjunction că after the verb.
7
Add the rest of your statement.
8
If you are talking about the past, use s-a (a contraction of se and a). For example, s-a anunțat că means
it was announced that.
For the future, use se va. Example: se va decide mâine means
it will be decided tomorrow.
It is a very consistent pattern. Once you learn the rhythm, you won't even have to think about it. Just remember: se + 3rd person is the golden rule.

When To Use It

You should use impersonal structures in several real-world scenarios. Use them in a job interview to talk about company culture. You might say aici se lucrează mult (much work is done here).
Use them when ordering food or reading a menu. Se servește cu mămăligă (it is served with polenta) is a classic line. Use them for general truths or proverbs.
Se știe că lenea e cucoană mare (it is known that laziness is a big lady). Use them in the news to report events where the culprit is unknown. Se caută un suspect (a suspect is being sought).
They are also perfect for giving directions or instructions. Se merge tot înainte (one goes straight ahead). Basically, use them whenever the who is everyone, anyone, or "I don't want to say."

When Not To Use It

Don't use these structures when the person doing the action is the most important part. If you want to brag about a cake you baked, don't say s-a făcut un tort. Say am făcut un tort.
The impersonal version sounds like the cake just appeared by magic! Also, avoid overusing them in very intimate, personal conversations. If you tell your partner se dorește o cafea (a coffee is desired), you might get a weird look.
It sounds too robotic for a date. Stick to vreau o cafea (I want a coffee). Also, be careful with verbs that are already reflexive.
You can't usually double up on the se. If a verb is already reflexive, like a se gândi, you have to find another way to make it impersonal. Using too many impersonal structures in a row can make your writing feel cold.
Use them like salt: enough to add flavor, but not so much that it ruins the meal.

Common Mistakes

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! The most famous mistake in Romania is saying se merită. This is technically wrong. The verb a merita (to be worth it) doesn't need the se. Just say merită. Another common error is forgetting the agreement between the verb and the plural object. People often say se vinde mere instead of the correct se vând mere. Think of the apples as the subject that is selling themselves. Another slip-up is using the wrong tense in reported speech. If you are reporting a past rumor, make sure the se structure matches the timing. Don't say se spune că a plecat if the saying also happened in the past; use se spunea. Finally, watch out for the că vs ca să distinction. Use că for facts (se știe că...) and ca să for goals or requirements (se cere ca să...).

Contrast With Similar Patterns

You might confuse the se passive with the a fi (to be) + participle passive. The a fi passive is much more formal. It is like wearing a tuxedo to a grocery store.
You would say proiectul a fost finalizat in a formal report. But in a meeting, you’d likely say s-a terminat proiectul. The se version is more common in spoken Romanian.
There is also the man or one construction in other languages (like French on or German man). Romanian doesn't have a specific word for one. We use se or the 2nd person singular (tu) for this. For example, cum se zice? (how does one say?) vs cum zici? (how do you say?).
The se version is more neutral and less personal than using tu.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use se with any verb?

Mostly with transitive verbs, but some intransitive ones work for general actions like se doarme.

Q

Is it okay for formal writing?

Yes, it is actually preferred in academic and professional contexts.

Q

Does se always mean passive?

No, sometimes it is just a regular reflexive verb like se spală (he washes himself).

Q

How do I know if it is impersonal or reflexive?

Look for a subject. If there is no one doing the action, it is impersonal.

Q

Is se zice better than oamenii zic?

Usually, yes. It sounds more natural and less repetitive.

Meanings

Impersonal structures in Romanian are used to express actions where the doer is unknown, irrelevant, or generalized. It is the primary way to report news, rumors, or scientific facts objectively.

1

General Truths/Instructions

Used in manuals, recipes, or signs to indicate how things are done generally.

“Aici se vorbește românește.”

“Se adaugă sare după gust.”

2

Reported Rumors/News

Used to distance the speaker from the information, common in journalism.

“Se zvonește că ministrul va demisiona.”

“Se spune că palatul este bântuit.”

3

Collective 'They'

Using the 3rd person plural without a subject to imply 'people in general'.

“Zic că e un film bun.”

“M-au sunat de la bancă (impersonal 'they').”

Common Impersonal Verbs (Present Tense)

Verb (Infinitive) Impersonal Form English Meaning Example
a spune se spune it is said Se spune că e bine.
a crede se crede it is believed Se crede că va reuși.
a vedea se vede it is seen / it's obvious Se vede că ești obosit.
a auzi se aude it is heard / rumored Se aude muzică.
a face se face it is done / made Așa se face.
a vinde se vând (pl) they are sold Se vând bilete aici.
a anunța se anunță it is announced Se anunță ploaie.

Contractions in Past Tense (Perfect Compus)

Full (Theoretical) Contracted (Correct) Usage Example
se a spus s-a spus singular S-a spus totul.
se au spus s-au spus plural S-au spus multe.
se a crezut s-a crezut singular S-a crezut că e gata.
se au vândut s-au vândut plural S-au vândut toate.

Reference Table

Reference table for Impersonal Structures
Structure Romanian Example English Translation Usage Context
Se + Verb (Singular) Se mănâncă bine aici. One eats well here. General statements
Se + Verb (Plural) Se caută angajați. Employees are sought. Job advertisements
Se spune că... Se spune că va ploua. It is said that it will rain. Rumors or weather
Se știe că... Se știe că e greu. It is known that it's hard. General knowledge
S-a + Verb (Past) S-a aflat adevărul. The truth was found out. Reporting past events
Se va + Verb (Future) Se va face un anunț. An announcement will be made. Future plans

औपचारिकता का स्तर

औपचारिक
Se vehiculează informația conform căreia acesta va sosi.

Se vehiculează informația conform căreia acesta va sosi. (Reporting someone's arrival)

तटस्थ
Se spune că vine.

Se spune că vine. (Reporting someone's arrival)

अनौपचारिक
Zic ăștia că vine.

Zic ăștia că vine. (Reporting someone's arrival)

बोलचाल
Se aude că apare tipul.

Se aude că apare tipul. (Reporting someone's arrival)

Common Impersonal Verbs

Impersonal

Communication

  • se spune it is said
  • se zvonește it is rumored

Perception

  • se vede it is seen
  • se aude it is heard

Active vs. Impersonal Passive

Active (Personal)
Eu vând mere. I sell apples.
Oamenii zic... People say...
Impersonal (Se)
Se vând mere. Apples are sold.
Se zice că... It is said that...

Choosing the Verb Form

1

Is there a plural object?

YES ↓
NO
Use 3rd person singular (se mănâncă)
2

Is the action in the past?

YES ↓
NO
Use 3rd person plural (se vând)
3

Is it a finished action?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'se' + imperfect (se vindeau)

Where to use Impersonal Structures

📰

News & Reports

  • • Se anunță
  • • Se crede
🏠

Daily Life

  • • Se zice
  • • Se face
📝

Instructions

  • • Se adaugă
  • • Se amestecă
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Cum se zice în română?

How do you say it in Romanian?

2

Se poate?

Is it possible? / May I?

3

Aici se doarme.

People sleep here.

4

Nu se știe.

It is not known.

1

Se vinde pâine aici.

Bread is sold here.

2

Se spune că el este bogat.

It is said that he is rich.

3

Spun la televizor că plouă.

They say on TV that it's raining.

4

Cum se scrie numele tău?

How is your name written?

1

S-a aflat adevărul despre accident.

The truth about the accident was found out.

2

Se zice că va fi o iarnă grea.

It is said it will be a hard winter.

3

Se mănâncă multă mămăligă în România.

A lot of polenta is eaten in Romania.

4

Nu se permite fumatul în interior.

Smoking is not permitted inside.

1

Se preconizează o creștere a inflației.

An increase in inflation is anticipated.

2

Se zvonește că vor schimba legea.

It is rumored they will change the law.

3

Se consideră că proiectul a fost un succes.

The project is considered to have been a success.

4

Se caută soluții pentru această problemă.

Solutions are being sought for this problem.

1

Se vehiculează diverse ipoteze în presă.

Various hypotheses are being circulated in the press.

2

Se impune o revizuire a întregului sistem.

A revision of the entire system is required.

3

S-a convenit asupra termenilor contractului.

The terms of the contract were agreed upon.

4

Se subînțelege că participarea este obligatorie.

It is implied that participation is mandatory.

1

Se acreditează ideea că reforma a eșuat.

The idea that the reform failed is gaining credence.

2

S-a purces la inventarierea bunurilor.

The inventorying of goods has been proceeded with.

3

Se profilează o criză diplomatică majoră.

A major diplomatic crisis is looming.

4

Se marșează pe ideea de sustenabilitate.

The idea of sustainability is being pushed/emphasized.

Easily Confused

Impersonal Structures बनाम Reflexive vs. Impersonal

Both use 'se', but one has a subject and the other doesn't.

Impersonal Structures बनाम Passive 'A fi' vs. 'Se'

Learners use 'A fi' for everything because of English.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

✗

Eu se zice

✓

Se zice

Impersonal 'se' cannot have a subject like 'eu'.
✗

E zice

✓

Se zice

You cannot use 'e' (is) with a normal verb like this.
✗

Se zic

✓

Se zice

Verb must be singular for a general 'it'.
✗

Se spune eu

✓

Mi se spune

If it's 'I am told', you need the dative 'mi'.
✗

Se vinde mere

✓

Se vând mere

The verb must agree with the plural object 'mere'.
✗

Se a făcut

✓

S-a făcut

Must use contraction in the past tense.
✗

Spune că...

✓

Se spune că...

Missing 'se' makes it 'He/She says' instead of 'It is said'.
✗

Este crezut că...

✓

Se crede că...

While 'este crezut' exists, 'se crede' is the natural impersonal form.
✗

S-a spus la ei

✓

Li s-a spus

Incorrect pronoun placement for 'They were told'.
✗

Se știe adevărul de toți

✓

Adevărul e știut de toți

If you mention the agent (by everyone), use the 'a fi' passive.
✗

Se merită să mergi

✓

Merită să mergi

'A merita' is not reflexive in standard Romanian, though common in slang.
✗

S-a convenit că...

✓

S-a convenit să...

Certain impersonal verbs require the subjunctive 'să' not 'că'.

Sentence Patterns

Se ___ că ___.

Nu se ___ aici.

S-a ___ să ___.

Se ___ o ___ a ___.

Real World Usage

News Broadcast constant

Se anunță noi măsuri economice.

Cooking Recipes very common

Se fierbe compoziția timp de 10 minute.

Public Signs very common

Nu se acceptă cardul.

Office Gossip common

Se aude că șeful pleacă.

Academic Papers constant

Se observă o corelație între cele două variabile.

Job Advertisements common

Se caută inginer cu experiență.

Sign up free to see all examples
🎯

The 'Se' Shortcut

If you forget how to conjugate a difficult verb for a specific person, turn the sentence into an impersonal one with se. It's a lifesaver in exams!
⚠️

The 'Merită' Trap

Avoid saying se merită. It's a very common mistake even among natives, but in a B2 exam or a formal setting, it will cost you points.
💬

Gossip Etiquette

Romanians use se aude că (it is heard that) to share news without taking responsibility for the accuracy. It's the ultimate 'don't shoot the messenger' phrase.
💡

Agreement is Key

Think of the object as the boss. If the object is plural, the verb must be plural too. Se vinde casa vs. Se vând casele.

Smart Tips

Always default to 'Se spune'. It's the safest and most natural choice.

Oamenii spun că e bine. → Se spune că e bine.

Check the verb ending! If it's more than one thing, use the plural verb.

Se vinde mere. → Se vând mere.

Remember the 'S-A' contraction. It's never two words.

Se a aflat adevărul. → S-a aflat adevărul.

Use 'Se consideră' instead of 'Cred că'. It sounds objective and academic.

Cred că e o problemă. → Se consideră a fi o problemă.

उच्चारण

sa-SPUS

Contraction S-A

The 's' and 'a' are pronounced as one syllable /sa/.

se poa-TE? ↑

Intonation in Questions

Rise at the end of 'Se poate?' to indicate a question.

Reporting Rumors

Se spu-ne că... →

Suspenseful, indicating more info follows.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

SE = Someone Else. When you don't want to say WHO, let SE do the work.

Visual Association

Imagine a foggy mirror where you can see an action happening (like someone cooking), but you can't see the person's face. That fog is 'se'.

Rhyme

Când nu știi cine-a lucrat, 'se' în față e plasat.

Story

In the village of 'Vorba', nobody has names. When a window breaks, they don't say 'Ion broke it'. They say 'S-a spart geamul' (The window was broken). When they eat, they say 'Se mănâncă'. They live in a world of pure actions.

Word Web

se spunese credese știese vedese audese facese vinde

चैलेंज

Look around your room and describe 3 things using 'se'. (e.g., 'Se vede un computer', 'Se aude muzică').

सांस्कृतिक नोट्स

Romanians use 'se' to avoid direct confrontation. Instead of saying 'You made a mistake', they might say 'S-a făcut o greșeală' (A mistake was made).

News anchors use 'se' constantly to maintain a facade of objectivity and avoid legal liability for rumors.

In villages, the 3rd person plural 'zic' is used to refer to community wisdom or gossip.

Derived from Latin reflexive 'se', which evolved in Romance languages to cover passive functions.

Conversation Starters

“

Ce se spune despre noul film?

“

Cum se face mămăliga în familia ta?

“

Ce se zvonește prin oraș despre alegeri?

“

Se impune o schimbare în sistemul de educație?

Journal Prompts

Write a recipe for your favorite dish using only impersonal forms.
Describe a local legend or rumor from your hometown.
Write a short news report about a fictional event.
Argue for or against a social change in Romania.
Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Choose the correct impersonal form for a plural object.

În acest magazin ___ fructe proaspete.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: se vând
Because 'fructe' is plural, the verb 'a vinde' must be in the 3rd person plural.
Report a rumor using the correct past tense contraction.

___ că examenul a fost anulat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: S-a spus
'S-a spus' is the perfect compus form, meaning 'it was said'.
Identify the correct way to express 'it's worth it'.

___ să înveți limba română.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Merită
'A merita' is used without 'se' in this impersonal construction.

Score: /3

अभ्यास प्रश्न

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'se' + verb 'a spune' in the present tense.

___ că Bucureștiul este un oraș frumos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Se spune
We need the present tense impersonal form for a general statement.
Correct the agreement error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Se vinde mere la piață.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Se vând mere
'Mere' is plural, so the verb 'a vinde' must be 'vând'.
Which is the most natural way to say 'It was decided'? बहुविकल्पी

___ să amânăm ședința.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: S-a decis
The reflexive passive in the past tense is the standard way to report decisions.
Build a sentence: [se / a anunța / rezultatele / mâine] Sentence Building

How do you say 'The results will be announced tomorrow'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All of the above
Romanian word order is flexible, and both present (for near future) and future tense work.
Match the Romanian impersonal to its English equivalent. Match Pairs

1. Se știe, 2. Se crede, 3. Se aude

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Known, 2-Believed, 3-Heard
Direct translations of common reporting verbs.
Is the following sentence correct? 'S-a aflat cine a furat banii.' True False Rule

S-a aflat cine a furat banii.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
It correctly uses the contracted past tense 's-a' + participle.
Sort these into 'Impersonal' and 'Personal' categories. Grammar Sorting

A. Se zice, B. Eu zic, C. Se vând, D. Ei vând

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Impersonal: A, C; Personal: B, D
Forms with 'se' and no subject are impersonal.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Unde e Maria? B: Nu se ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: știe
'Nu se știe' is the standard way to say 'It's not known'.

Score: /8

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (8)

Yes, but 'Se spune' is more common and sounds more native when you don't have a specific group of people in mind.

In Romanian, the particle 'se' always contracts with the auxiliary 'a' to form 's-a' for easier pronunciation.

No, 'se' can also be reflexive (he washes himself) or reciprocal (they see each other). Context is key.

This is common in informal speech, like saying 'They say...' in English without referring to anyone specific.

Technically no, 'Merită' is the correct form, but you will hear 'Se merită' very often in casual speech.

Yes! 'Se va spune' (It will be said) or 'Se vor face' (They will be made).

Use the dative: 'Mi s-a spus'. The 'se' becomes 's-' and you add 'mi' (to me).

Absolutely. It's the preferred way to state facts objectively, e.g., 'Se anexează documentele' (The documents are attached).

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Se dice

Romanian has more frequent contractions like 's-a'.

French moderate

On dit

French uses a subject pronoun (on), Romanian uses a reflexive particle (se).

German low

Man sagt / Es wird gesagt

German uses a specific indefinite pronoun 'man'.

Japanese low

〜と言われている (to iwarete iru)

Japanese uses verb suffixes, Romanian uses a separate particle.

Arabic low

يُقال (yuqal)

Arabic changes the verb's internal structure; Romanian adds 'se'.

Chinese none

有人说 (yǒu rén shuō)

Chinese uses a dummy subject like 'people' or 'someone'.

Previous
Advanced Passive
Next
Formal Report Writing

Related Grammar Rules

A2

Passive Voice Intro

Overview Ever felt like you wanted to talk about something without blaming anyone? Maybe the last slice of pizza disapp...
B1

Passive Voice Construction

Overview Ever felt like the hero of the story needs a break? Sometimes, the action matters more than the person doing i...
B1

Agentive Passive

Overview Ever feel like the "what" is more important than the "who"? Welcome to the world of the agentive passive in Ro...
B1

Reported Speech Basics

Overview Ever wanted to share a juicy secret with a friend? Or maybe you need to tell your boss what a client said. Thi...
B1

Indirect Questions

Overview Ever felt like you were being too blunt in Romanian? Direct questions are like a bright spotlight. They are fa...
Was this helpful?

टिप्पणियाँ (0)

टिप्पणी के लिए लॉगिन करें
अभी तक कोई टिप्पणी नहीं। अपने विचार साझा करने वाले पहले व्यक्ति बनें!