sentir
Lemma Details
Translation: I'm sorry; I apologize; I regret it
Part of Speech: verb phrase
Etymology: From Latin 'sentire' meaning 'to feel, perceive, sense'. This Latin root also gave English words like 'sentiment', 'sensitive', 'sensory', and 'consent'. The connection between physical sensation and emotional feeling is preserved in both languages, showing how our understanding of emotions is often tied to physical experiences.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Siento mucho frío hoy.
I feel very cold today.
Lo siento, no puedo ir a la fiesta.
I'm sorry, I can't go to the party.
Ella siente una gran pasión por la música.
She feels a great passion for music.
Sentimos su pérdida profundamente.
We feel your loss deeply.
¿Cómo te sientes hoy?
How do you feel today?
Mnemonics
- Think of being 'sensitive' to feelings and sensations.
- The phrase 'I sent her my feelings' can help remember 'sentir' means 'to feel'.
- Connect with 'sentiment' in English, which relates to feelings and emotions.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'sentir' is used extensively in emotional expressions. The phrase 'lo siento' (literally 'I feel it') is the standard way to say 'I'm sorry', showing how Spanish connects empathy with apology. The verb is also central to expressing physical sensations, emotions, and opinions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'sentir' refers to feeling or sensing in general, 'oír' specifically means 'to hear'. Both are sensory verbs but apply to different senses.
Confused word:
Oigo música en la distancia.
I hear music in the distance.
Notes: Both verbs are irregular but follow different patterns.
Mnemonic: 'Sentir' relates to 'sentiment' (feeling), while 'oír' relates to 'audio' (hearing).
Explanation: 'Sentir' relates to emotions and physical sensations, while 'pensar' refers to thinking and cognitive processes.
Confused word:
Pienso que deberíamos esperar.
I think we should wait.
Notes: In some contexts, 'sentir que' can be used similarly to 'pensar que' but implies more intuition than rational thought.
Mnemonic: 'Sentir' is about the heart (feelings), 'pensar' is about the head (thoughts).