French · Everyday Verbs
"to feel" in French: sentir
sentir
Note: also: se sentir
To feel in French is sentir, and for moods se sentir. Je me sens bien means I feel well. Je sens le froid means I feel/sense the cold.
Health check-in
Je me sens mieux après la sieste.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce sentir
Say it
sahn-TEER
/sɑ̃.tiʁ/
Sentir: sahn-TEER. Je me sens: zhuh muh sahn. Soft nasal en.
"to feel" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| sentir | to feel / to smell / to sense Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| se sentir | to feel (mood/state) How you are. | How you are. |
| je me sens | I feel Moods and health. | Moods and health. |
| je sens | I feel / I smell Sensation or smell. | Sensation or smell. |
| senti(e) | felt Past participle. | Past participle. |
How to use sentir in real life
- 1Health check-in
Je me sens mieux après la sieste.
I feel better after the nap.
Je me sens.
- 2Weather
Tu sens le vent froid sur la terrasse ?
Do you feel the cold wind on the terrace?
Tu sens.
- 3Anxiety
Elle se sent stressée avant l'oral.
She feels stressed before the oral exam.
Elle se sent.
Mistakes English speakers make with sentir
Incorrect: Je sens bien aujourd'hui (mood).
Correct: Je me sens bien aujourd'hui.
Moods usually need se sentir: je me sens.
Incorrect: Je feel fatigué.
Correct: Je me sens fatigué.
Use se sentir, not English feel.
Good to know
Comment tu te sens ? is the soft check-in among friends. Sentir without se often means smell: je sens le café. Context decides.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a long hike
ChatPal
Tu te sens comment après la montée ?
How do you feel after the climb?
You
Je me sens crevé, mais content.
I feel wiped, but happy.
ChatPal
Moi aussi je me sens fatigué. On boit de l'eau.
I feel tired too. Let's drink water.
You
Bonne idée. Pause cinq minutes.
Good idea. Five-minute break.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to feel" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to feel" in French
How do you say I feel well?
Je me sens bien.
Sentir or se sentir?
Se sentir for moods; sentir for senses/smells.
How do you ask how someone feels?
Comment tu te sens ?
How do you pronounce je me sens?
zhuh muh sahn.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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