Es vs. man
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Es vs. man
Impersonal sentences, in which we don't specify who does something, can be formed using either es (it) or man (one, you) + a verb in the 3rd person singular.
Es wird Kuchen gegessen. werden, Präsens
Cake is eaten.
Man isst Kuchen. essen, Präsens
Cake is eaten / One eats cake.
Man is always used in active sentences.
Man tanzt.
One dances / you dance / people dance.
Man spielt Mozart.
One plays Mozart / you play Mozart. (Note: man can be translated as "you" in the general sense, not referring to a specific person.)
When used in this sense, es appears in passive sentences, generally with werden + past participle.
Es wird getanzt.
There is dancing (literally: "It is danced").
Es wird Mozart gespielt.
Mozart is played.
Note: es (impersonal "it") can also be used in active sentences, often as part of fixed expressions.
Es geht mir gut.
I'm well (literally: "It is going well to me").
Es regnet.
It's raining.
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