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Dicen que en esa isla se puede nadar en el océano a gran velocidad con delfines.

Dicen que en esa isla se puede nadar en el océano a gran velocidad con delfines.
They say that on that island you can swim in the ocean at great speed with dolphins.
FromLesson 19inHardcore Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about Dicen que en esa isla se puede nadar en el océano a gran velocidad con delfines.

What does Dicen que mean and why is it used here?
It literally means They say that, but functions as an impersonal expression meaning “People say…” or “It is said that…” It introduces hearsay—information passed along without specifying who exactly said it.
Why do we say en esa isla instead of just esa isla?
Because en is the preposition for location, meaning “on” or “in.” esa isla alone is just the noun phrase “that island”; adding en tells us where—on that island.
How does the structure se puede nadar work?
This is the impersonal/passive se + the verb poder + an infinitive (nadar). It means “one can swim” or “it’s possible to swim.” There’s no specific subject; the ability applies generally to anyone.
Why is it en el océano and not just en océano?
Spanish normally requires the definite article el before singular, countable, masculine nouns. So you say el océano (“the ocean”). Omitting it would sound incomplete or ungrammatical.
What does a gran velocidad literally and idiomatically mean?
Literally, a gran velocidad is “at great speed.” Idiomatically it means “very fast” or “at high speed.” The a marks the manner of swimming, and gran intensifies velocidad.
Why is it gran velocidad instead of grande velocidad?
When grande comes before a singular noun, it shortens to gran. So gran velocidad = “great speed.” If you put it after the noun, you’d say velocidad grande, but that’s less common here.
Why do we end with con delfines?
con delfines means “with dolphins,” indicating accompaniment. It tells us who you’re swimming with.
Could we rephrase this sentence without se or with a different subject?

Yes. For example: • Uno puede nadar en esa isla… (“One can swim on that island…”)
• Es posible nadar en esa isla… (“It’s possible to swim on that island…”)
• Los turistas nadan en esa isla… (“Tourists swim on that island…”)
But se puede keeps it general and idiomatic.

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