When and how to use verse with a past participle in Spanish
As well as the formal passive construction with ser or estar, there is a more colloquial construction using verse + past participle that also adds an extra nuance. This construction denotes a "resulting state" provoked by a change. It's used with participles that imply a positive or negative effect on the person. For example:
Se vio rodeado de cámaras y le entró el pánico.He was/found himself surrounded by cameras and he panicked.
Nos hemos visto humillados y hemos decidido abandonar la reunión.We've been/felt humiliated and we've decided to withdraw from meeting.
No te preocupes Raquel, te verás beneficiada con el cambio de contrato.Don't worry Raquel, you will benefit by the change in your contract.
Los pobres estudiantes se ven frustrados por la falta de organización del colegio.The poor students are finding themselves frustated because of the school's lack of organisation.
The general meaning is usually to find/discover yourself in a certain way, depending on the nature of the participle used each time, the translation may vary - but always with the sense that the result is due to this change.
Sometimes this structure is used with participles that denote some kind of "obligation or influence", and the person feels forced/the need to do something. For example:
Desafortunadamente me veo obligado a despedirte por tu falta de profesionalidad.Unfortunately I am forced/I have to fire you because of your lack of professionalism.
These participles are generally followed by a preposition - the preposition will vary depending on what is said, for example:
verse tentado de/a ...., verse forzado a..., verse manipulado por..., verse beneficiado por/con...
But remember that after these prepositions there must be an infinitive.
There is always gender and number agreement between the participle and the subject of the sentence:
- Ella se vio obligada a ...
- Ellos se vieron rodeados de...
- Las chicas se vieron forzadas a...
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
