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Spanish Phrase

¿Se puede mover eso?

/se ˈpwe.ðe moˈβeɾ ˈe.so/
Meaning"Can that be moved?"
💡

Meaning

A polite, neutral way to ask if an object can be moved. The impersonal 'se' removes the speaker as the subject, making the request sound less direct and more courteous.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you need to ask someone—perhaps a stranger, a coworker, or a service staff member—to move something, especially in public places, offices, or formal settings where you want to stay courteous.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Sepuedemovereso

1

Se (impersonal/passive)

The pronoun 'se' creates an impersonal construction, avoiding a specific subject and making the request sound neutral and polite.

2

puede (present of poder)

Third‑person singular present of 'poder', used here to express ability or permission.

3

mover (infinitive)

The infinitive verb follows 'puede' to indicate the action that might be performed.

4

eso (demonstrative pronoun)

Points to a specific object that is not close to the speaker; equivalent to 'that' in English.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Se puede mover eso?

Can that be moved?

Claro, lo moveré en un momento.

Sure, I'll move it in a moment.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • ¿Se puedes mover eso?

    Using 'puedes' makes the subject explicit (you), which is less neutral; the impersonal form prefers 'puede' with 'se'.

  • ¿Se puede mover lo?

    Replacing 'eso' with the direct object pronoun 'lo' changes the structure and loses the demonstrative nuance.

  • Se puede mover eso?

    Missing the opening question mark makes the sentence look like a statement rather than a question.

↔Alternatives

  • ¿Puedes mover eso?

    Can you move that?

  • ¿Podrías mover eso?

    Could you move that?

  • ¿Sería posible mover eso?

    Would it be possible to move that?

  • ¿Me ayudas a mover eso?

    Will you help me move that?

es

Cultural Tip

The impersonal 'se' construction is common in Spanish when you want to make a request sound less demanding. It’s especially useful in customer‑service contexts or when speaking to someone you don’t know well. Avoid using a direct 'tú' form (e.g., '¿Puedes mover eso?') if you need extra politeness, as it can feel too familiar in formal settings.