véanse

Véanse is a Spanish editorial directive used to instruct readers to consult another part of a text or another source. It is formed from the verb ver (to see) with the reflexive pronoun se, in the second-person plural imperative, yielding véanse. In practice, it functions as a cross-reference rather than as a statement about a subject.

Usage typically appears in dictionaries, encyclopedias, legal documents, academic writing, and bibliographic notes. It signals that additional information or corroborating material can be found elsewhere. Common constructions include véanse las referencias citadas, véanse además las notas al pie, or véanse también los anexos. The English equivalents are phrases such as “see also” or “see references.”

Relation to other forms: véanse is related to véase, the singular imperative form used with usted or él/ella, and to other cross-referencing expressions. The choice between véase and véanse depends on whether the directive targets a singular or plural audience or item.

Stylistic considerations: véanse is a traditional, formal device most often found in scholarly or technical texts. Modern or more informal writing may prefer plain cross-references such as “ver also” or explicit directional phrases; some style guides limit its use to formal lexicographic or encyclopedic contexts.

See also: véase, ver, estilo editorial, cross-reference. In sum, véanse remains a conventional tool for guiding readers to supplementary material in formal Spanish prose.