¿Qué se le ofrece?

Mendy-K

Mendy-K

I do not understand why this phrase in lesson 4.5 is stated the way it is. For the question, What can I offer you?, it says to ask ¿Qué se le ofrece?   What I would like to know is why  it is NOT  ¿Que le ofrezco? or ¿Que le puedo ofrecer? instead?
Robert-C7

Robert-C7

Hmmm, I think the verb in question is the reflexive version, ofrecerse.  They are using a passive construction, "se ofrece" which means "can be offered".  So, "se le ofrece" must mean "can be offered to you, usted form" and "¿Qué se le ofrece?" therefore must mean "what can be offered to you?".  In the reference below, see the "pronominal verb" section:

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/ofrecer

Perhaps it is similar to signs we see in restaurants saying "se necesita ayuda" or "help wanted".
 
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

Interesting: I was discussing this very lesson a week or so ago with a Peruana that helps me. She said that she would not ask the question in that way. Unfortunately I cannot remember exactly how she said she would ask it, but it was simpler than the narrative in the lesson.
ricardo-rich

ricardo-rich

Hola Mendy,

Search the forum and you will find this explained by our friend from Mexico, Cristian.

Saludos,
Ricardo
ricardo-rich

ricardo-rich

Hola Mendy,
Aquí está una explicación de Cristian. :http://members.rocketlanguages.com/your-community/spanish-feedback-and-comments/spanish_5#/comment-17737

Saludos,

Ricardo

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