Sentir vs Sentirse

Are you unsure about when to use

sentirse and when to use sentir?

 

Both verbs mean 'to feel':

 

 

Use 'SENTIRSE' if you are saying 'HOW'  you feel? 

 

(use sentirse with adjectives and adverbs)

 

 

 

No me siento bien.      I don't feel well.

 

Me siento alegre.         I feel happy.

 

 

 

Use 'SENTIR' if you are saying 'WHAT' you feel?

 

(use 'sentir' with nouns)

 

 

 

Siento mucho dolor en el estómago.       I feel a lot of pain in my stomach.

 

No siento alegría.         I don't feel happiness.

 

Sentía hambre.       I felt hungry.

 

 

 

Tip to remember:

 

Rhyme 'what with not'.

 

How you feel 'is' reflexive (sentirSE)

 

What is not.  (sentir)