The Italian verb sentire is incredibly versatile, translating to various English verbs related to sensing and feeling. Its meaning changes depending on the context and whether it's used in its basic (non-reflexive) form, or its reflexive forms like sentirsi and the idiomatic sentirsela. This lesson will clarify these distinctions for English speakers.
1. Sentire (Non-Reflexive Verb)
Sentire is primarily a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. It is used to describe perceiving something external through your senses (hearing, touch, smell, taste), or to feel an emotion directed outwards.
1. To Hear / To Listen
- Sento un rumore. (I hear a noise.)
- Mi senti bene? (Can you hear me well?)
- Ho sentito che Domenico e Giada si sono lasciati! (I heard that Domenico and Giada broke up!)
2. To Feel (Physical Sensations)
- Sento freddo. (I feel cold.)
- Senti com'è morbida questa lana! (Feel how soft this wool is!)
- Sento fame / appetito. (I feel hungry.)
3. To Smell / To Taste
- Sento un profumo buonissimo. (I smell a delicious scent.)
- Senti l'aglio nella salsa? (Do you taste the garlic in the sauce?)
Conjugation Tables
Present Indicative
| Pronoun | Verb |
|---|---|
| io | sento |
| tu | senti |
| lui/lei | sente |
| noi | sentiamo |
| voi | sentite |
| loro | sentono |
Passato Prossimo
| Pronoun | Verb |
|---|---|
| io | ho sentito |
| tu | hai sentito |
| lui/lei | ha sentito |
| noi | abbiamo sentito |
| voi | avete sentito |
| loro | hanno sentito |
2. Sentirsi (Reflexive Verb)
Sentirsi is the reflexive form of sentire. It means "to feel oneself" and describes one's own internal state or condition, encompassing physical well-being, mood, and emotions. It is typically followed by an adjective or a prepositional phrase.
1. To Feel (one's own state)
- Mi sento bene. (I feel good/well.)
- Anna si sente triste. (Anna feels sad.)
- Come ti senti dopo l'operazione? (How do you feel after the surgery?)
2. "Sentirsi di" + Infinitive
To feel like doing something / To feel able to do something.
- Non mi sento di guidare stasera. (I don't feel like driving tonight.)
3. "Sentirsela" (Pronominal Verb)
An idiomatic expression meaning "to feel up to it" or "to have the courage."
- Te la senti di parlare in pubblico? (Do you feel up to speaking in public?)
- Non me la sento di andare a Siena oggi. (I don't have it in me to go to Siena today.)
Conjugation Tables
Present Indicative
| Pronoun | Verb |
|---|---|
| io | mi sento |
| tu | ti senti |
| lui/lei | si sente |
| noi | ci sentiamo |
| voi | vi sentite |
| loro | si sentono |
Passato Prossimo
| Pronoun | Verb |
|---|---|
| io | mi sono sentito/a |
| tu | ti sei sentito/a |
| lui/lei | si è sentito/a |
| noi | ci siamo sentiti/e |
| voi | vi siete sentiti/e |
| loro | si sono sentiti/e |
3. Key Difference
Sentire (External)
Perceiving something outside of you. You hear a noise, smell coffee, feel a cold breeze.
Sentirsi (Internal)
Describing your own internal state. You feel happy, feel tired, feel sick.
Vocabulary
| Italian Word | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| sentire | to hear, to feel (external), to smell, to taste |
| sentirsi | to feel (internal, about oneself) |
| sentirsela | to feel up to it, to have the courage |
| rumore | noise |
| freddo / caldo | cold / warm |
| stanco / triste | tired / sad |