In French, both sentir and se sentir relate to the concept of “feeling,” but they are used in different ways and have different meanings.
Sentir
Sentir is a transitive verb that means “to smell,” “to sense,” or “to feel” something through the senses. It can refer to smelling a fragrance, sensing an external stimulus, or even experiencing a physical sensation.
- Used without reflexive pronoun
- Followed by a noun or an infinitive
- Can mean “to smell,” “to sense,” or “to feel” something externally
Examples:
- Je sens une odeur de chocolat. (I smell a chocolate scent.)
- Il sent le vent froid sur sa peau. (He feels the cold wind on his skin.)
- Elle sent que quelque chose ne va pas. (She senses that something is wrong.)
Se sentir
Se sentir is a pronominal (reflexive) verb meaning “to feel” in terms of one’s internal state or emotions. It is always followed by an adjective or a prepositional phrase that describes how the subject feels.
- Reflexive form: subject + se + sentir
- Used to describe internal feelings or states
- Followed by an adjective or prepositional phrase (e.g., se sentir heureux, se sentir mal)
Examples:
- Je me sens fatigué aujourd’hui. (I feel tired today.)
- Elle se sent heureuse. (She feels happy.)
- Nous nous sentons prêt à partir. (We feel ready to leave.)
Key Differences
- sentir = to perceive or sense something externally (smell, touch, notice)
- se sentir = to feel internally or emotionally; a state of being
- sentir + noun/infinitive; se sentir + adjective/prepositional phrase
Which of the following is a correct use of "se sentir"?
Je me sens malade.
"Se sentir" must be followed by an adjective or prepositional phrase that describes an internal state. "Je me sens malade" is correct.
Which of the following is a correct use of "sentir"?
Je sens une odeur de fleurs.
"Sentir" is correctly used with a direct object noun, such as "une odeur de fleurs." Reflexive form "se sentir" should not be used for smelling.
Common Pitfalls
- Don’t use se sentir to talk about smelling something. (Incorrect: Je me sens une odeur.)
- Don’t use sentir to describe emotional states without a direct object or clause. (Incorrect: Je sens fatigué.)
- Remember se sentir always matches the subject and is followed by a description of the internal state.
Summary
- Use sentir when talking about sensing, smelling, or noticing something outside yourself.
- Use se sentir when talking about how you feel inside—physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
