The difference between sentir and sentirse
Both sentir and sentirse mean “to feel” and can be used to talk about emotions or sensations.
Ana siente tristeza (la tristeza = nombre)
Ana feels sadness (noun)
Ana se siente triste (triste = adjetivo)
Ana feels sad (adjective)
Use sentir sentir, presente immediately before:
- a noun (sometimes accompanied by other words, such as articles: el, la, un, etc.; or adjectives: alto, interesante, etc.)
Siento alegría cuando abrazo unicornios.
I feel joy when I hug unicorns.
César siente el calor del sol.
César feels the heat of the sun.
Nacho siente mucho cansancio.
Nacho feels great fatigue.
- a phrase which starts with que (that).
¿Sientes que el agua está más fría que antes?
Can you feel how the water is colder than before?
Use sentirse sentirse, presente immediately before:
- an adjective or adverb.
Me siento alegre cuando abrazo unicornios.
I feel happy when I hug unicorns.
César se siente acalorado cuando toma el sol.
César feels warm when he sunbathes.
- a phrase that starts with como (like).
Me siento como un rey después de una ducha caliente.
I feel like a king after a hot shower.
Still facing difficulties with 'The difference between sentir and sentirse'? Learn and enhance your Spanish grammar through our online Spanish course. Start with a free test and improve today!
What our users say:
Improve your Spanish further and test Hotel Borbollón, online Spanish lessons.
