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sentir means to feel — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 21, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

sentir

verb • /[sen-TEER]/

to feel

Example:

Siento frío esta mañana.

I feel cold this morning.

🧠 What does sentir mean?

The verb 'sentir' primarily means 'to feel'. It is used to express physical sensations, perceptions, and emotions. When followed by a noun, it describes what is being felt, such as 'siento frío' (I feel cold). For expressing regret or apology, the phrase 'lo siento' is used. Additionally, 'sentir' can mean 'to sense' or 'to perceive' something intuitively. The reflexive form, 'sentirse', is used to describe one's own emotional or physical state, and it is typically followed by an adjective or an adverb, as in 'me siento feliz' (I feel happy) or 'me siento mal' (I feel bad).

📚 Extra examples

  • Siento una gran admiración por su trabajo.
    I feel great admiration for her work.
  • Después de la siesta, se sintió mucho mejor.
    After the nap, he felt much better.
  • Siento el olor a pan recién horneado.
    I can feel (smell) the scent of freshly baked bread.
  • Lo siento, no podré asistir a la reunión.
    I'm sorry, I won't be able to attend the meeting.
  • Sentí que era el momento adecuado para hablar.
    I sensed that it was the right time to speak.
  • ¿No te sientes un poco cansada hoy?
    Don't you feel a little tired today?

💡 Did You Know?

A key distinction for learners is between 'sentir' and 'sentirse'. 'Sentir' is transitive and is followed by a noun (e.g., 'siento alegría' - I feel joy). 'Sentirse' is a pronominal verb used with adjectives or adverbs to describe one's internal state (e.g., 'me siento alegre' - I feel joyful). Mastering this difference is a significant step in sounding more natural.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "sentir"

Synonyms: percibir, experimentar, notar, lamentar
Opposites: ignorar, ser insensible, desconocer

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to feel' in Spanish?
The verb 'sentir' is the primary translation for 'to feel'. To describe one's own state, the reflexive form 'sentirse' is used, as in 'me siento bien' (I feel good).
How do you pronounce 'sentir' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is 'sen-TEER'. The stress falls on the second syllable.
How do you use 'sentir' in a sentence?
'Sentir' is used with a noun to describe a sensation ('siento frío' - I feel cold). The reflexive form 'sentirse' is used with an adjective to describe a state ('se siente triste' - she feels sad). For apologies, use 'lo siento' (I'm sorry).
What is the English translation of 'sentir'?
The main translation is 'to feel'. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'to be sorry', 'to regret', 'to sense', or 'to perceive'.
Does 'sentir' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'sentir' does not change for gender or number. It is conjugated according to the grammatical person (yo, tú, él, etc.) and tense.
Is 'sentir' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'sentir' and its reflexive form 'sentirse' are extremely common in daily conversation for expressing feelings, physical sensations, and apologies.
Does 'sentir' have slang or double meanings?
'Sentir' does not have common slang meanings. Its main ambiguity for learners lies in its different uses: feeling a sensation, feeling an emotion, sensing something, and expressing regret.
Is 'sentir' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the usage and meanings of 'sentir' are consistent across the Spanish-speaking world. There are no significant regional differences.
How do you conjugate 'sentir' in Spanish?
'Sentir' is an irregular verb with a stem change. In the present tense, the 'e' changes to 'ie' in most forms (siento, sientes, siente, sienten). In the preterite, it changes to 'i' in the third person (sintió, sintieron).

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