A comprehensive guide on the difference between the French verbs "sentir" and "se sentir," including their meanings, usage, and examples.
Understanding the difference between sentir and se sentir is essential for expressing sensations, feelings, and perceptions accurately in French. Sentir is a transitive verb that generally means "to smell" or "to feel" something externally, while se sentir is a reflexive verb meaning "to feel" in terms of one's own physical or emotional state.
Sentir
The verb sentir comes from the Latin sentire, meaning "to perceive" or "to feel." In French, it can mean "to smell," "to sense," "to feel," or "to detect." It is used with a direct object (something is being smelled or felt).
Key Points:
- Can refer to the sense of smell or other sensations.
- Can also mean to have a feeling or intuition about something.
- Used with a direct object (e.g., sentir quelque chose).
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Je sens des fleurs dans le jardin. | I smell flowers in the garden. |
| Il sent la douleur dans son bras. | He feels pain in his arm. |
| Je sens que quelque chose ne va pas. | I feel that something is wrong. |
Se sentir
The reflexive verb se sentir means "to feel" in the sense of one's own physical, emotional, or mental state. It is followed by an adjective or a noun (often describing a mood or condition).
Key Points:
- Describes the subject's own internal state.
- Followed by adjectives (bien, fatigué, triste, etc.) or nouns (malade).
- Reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) agrees with the subject.
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Je me sens fatigué ce soir. | I feel tired tonight. |
| Elle se sent heureuse. | She feels happy. |
| Nous nous sentons malades après le repas. | We feel sick after the meal. |
Using Both Verbs in Context
Sometimes both verbs appear in similar contexts but convey different meanings:
- Sentir focuses on detecting an external sensation.
- Se sentir focuses on the subject’s internal feeling.
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Je sens le froid. | I feel the cold. |
| Je me sens frigorifié. | I feel freezing. |
Which of the following pairs correctly shows the difference in meaning between "sentir" and "se sentir"?
Je sens le froid. (I feel the cold.) vs. Je me sens frigorifié. (I feel freezing.)
The first sentence with "sentir" describes perceiving an external sensation. The second with "se sentir" describes an internal state or condition.
Special Usage of Sentir
Sentir can also be used in a more abstract sense, meaning "to sense" or "to have a feeling about" something non-physical. In this case, it is often followed by que + clause.
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Je sens qu’il va pleuvoir. | I sense that it’s going to rain. |
| Elle sent une tension dans la salle. | She senses tension in the room. |
In addition to physical sensations, what other kind of feeling can "sentir" express?
"Sentir" can express intuitions or suspicions about situations, often using the construction "sentir que + clause."
"Sentir" has a broader meaning that includes sensing something non-physical, like a mood, a tension, or a suspicion about future events.
Grammar Summary
| Aspect | Sentir | Se sentir |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | to smell/to feel (something external) | to feel (oneself, internal state) |
| Object | Yes (direct object) | No (reflexive pronoun, subject feels self) |
| Usage | Je sens + something | Je me sens + adjective/noun |
| Special Constructions | Sentir que + clause (to sense/feel that) | — |
Tips for Learners
- If you can point to something you’re smelling or feeling, use sentir.
- If you’re talking about your own mood or condition, use se sentir.
- Pay attention to reflexive pronouns with se sentir—they must agree with the subject.
- Don’t confuse sentir (transitive) with se sentir (reflexive).
Understanding the difference between sentir and se sentir will help you express sensations and feelings more naturally and accurately in French.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- English Example: I smell flowers in the garden.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
