Verb · B1 · Spanish glossary
Sentir: to feel, to be sorry
sentir
Pronunciation: sehn-TEER (stress the capital letters)
Sentir means “to feel, to be sorry” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to feel, to be sorry
- How to say it: sehn-TEER
- Present: yo siento, tú sientes
- Level: Intermediate (B1)
What “sentir” means and how to use it
Sentir means “to feel” a sensation or an emotion. In the expression “lo siento” it means “I am sorry.”
How to conjugate “sentir”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | siento | I |
| tú | sientes | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | siente | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | sentimos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | sienten | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo sentí, él sintió | I / he or she |
| Past participle | sentido | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Siento mucho frío.I feel very cold.
- Lo siento, no sabía.I am sorry, I did not know.
- ¿Sientes algo en la pierna?Do you feel anything in your leg?
Usage tip
The reflexive form sentirse describes how you feel: me siento bien (I feel fine). Use “lo siento” to apologize.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to feel, to be sorry” in Spanish?
“to feel, to be sorry” in Spanish is “sentir.” It is pronounced sehn-TEER, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “sentir”?
Say sehn-TEER. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “sentir”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “sentí” and “él” is “sintió.” The past participle is “sentido.”
Practice “sentir” for free
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