To Feel in French = Sentir [Explanation + 18 Examples & Quiz]

to feel in french

Share This Post

In this grammar lesson, you will learn how to express to feel in French.

In this lesson you will learn about:

  • sentir conjugation in the present tense
  • how to feel in French has 3 usages
  • sentir = to smell
  • sentir = to feel
  • sentir = to taste
  • how to feel in French is used in sentences
  • how you can quiz yourself on to feel in French
  • how to practice with flashcards on to feel in French
  • how and why you should use the courses of Language Atlas to learn French

Please refer to the French A1 Curriculum to get a better overview of French grammar, if you are curious about this fits in French A1.

By the end of the lesson, you will know all about how to express to feel in French!

Table of Contents

Sentir Conjugation in the Present Tense

jesens
tusens
il/elle/onsent
noussentons
voussentez
ils/ellessentent

To Feel in French = Sentir

The way that you use “to feel” in English, is not exactly how you’d use it in French.

It is easy to fall into the trap of using “to feel” in the same way that you will use “sentir”.

However, the two verbs have a different meaning and usage.

As you proceed in this lesson, it is important to keep this in mind.

The verbs sentir broadly will be used for three things in French:

  1. to smell
  2. to feel
  3. to taste

Every usage has a chapter dedicated to it.

All three of these usages will be handled, and examples will be provided for every case.

Sentir = to Smell

This first way that you can use sentir in French is as such:

  • sentir = to smell

Je sens du café.

I smell coffee.

Je sens quelque chose brûler.

I smell something burning.

Tu sens bon.

You smell good.

Il sent toujours la mayonnaise.

He always smells like mayonnaise.

Nous pouvons sentir la nicotine d’ici.

We can smell the nicotine from here.

Que sentez-vous ?

What do you smell.

Ils sentent l’ail.

They smell of garlic.

I bet there’s one question on your mind.

How can you differentiate between “to smell something“, and “to smell of/like something“?

Take a look at the following sentences to see what I mean.

Tu sens la sueur dans le gymnase ?

Do you smell the sweat in the gymnasium?

Tu sens la sueur. Tu veux prendre une douche ?

You smell of sweat. Do you want to take a shower?

In the first sentence, there is a smell of sweat in the air.

In the second sentence, someone smells of sweat.

In both cases you use the same idiom:

  • sentir + le/la/l’ + noun

You have to rely on context to know if someone means to smell something or to smell of/like something.

This rule is valid for all of the three usages of sentir.

Sentir = to Feel

The second way that you can use sentir is as such:

  • sentir = to feel

You will use this when you wish to say that you “feel something”.

Je sens quelque chose.

I feel something.

Est-ce que tu sens Ã§a ?

Do you feel that?

Ca fait encore mal ? – Non, je ne sens rien.

Does it still hurt? – No, I don’t feel anything.

Nous pouvons sentir qu’il y a un problème.

We can feel that there is a problem.

Vous ne sentez rien ?

You don’t feel anything?

Ils sentent quelque chose.

They feel something.

Sentir = to Taste

The third way that you can use sentir is as such:

  • sentir = to taste

Sometimes, sentir can also be used as “to taste”. This happens in the context of being able to taste an ingredient in a dish.

Je peux sentir l’ananas.

I can taste the pineapple.

Est-ce que tu sens le citron ?

Do you taste the lemon?

Est-ce que vous sentez la pomme ?

Do you taste the apple?

Example Sentences on To Feel in French

The final section of this lesson on to feel in French is about seeing the idioms in action.

This is valuable because you can improve your understanding on to feel in French through examples.

Here you can see all the sentences used in the previous chapter, neatly organised in one place.

Je sens du café.

I smell coffee.

Je sens quelque chose brûler.

I smell something burning.

Je sens quelque chose.

I feel something.

Je peux sentir l’ananas.

I can taste the pineapple.

Tu sens bon.

You smell good.

Tu sens la sueur dans le gymnase ?

Do you smell the sweat in the gymnasium?

Tu sens la sueur. Tu veux prendre une douche ?

You smell of sweat. Do you want to take a shower?

Est-ce que tu sens ça ?

Do you feel that?

Est-ce que tu sens le citron ?

Do you taste the lemon?

Il sent toujours la mayonnaise.

He always smells like mayonnaise.

Ca fait encore mal ? – Non, je ne sens rien.

Does it still hurt? – No, I don’t feel anything.

Nous pouvons sentir la nicotine d’ici.

We can smell the nicotine from here.

Nous pouvons sentir qu’il y a un problème.

We can feel that there is a problem.

Que sentez-vous ?

What do you smell?

Vous ne sentez rien ?

You don’t feel anything?

Est-ce que vous sentez la pomme ?

Do you taste the apple?

Ils sentent l’ail.

They smell of garlic.

Ils sentent quelque chose.

They feel something.

Quiz Yourself on To Feel in French

At the end of every lesson you can do a small quiz.

You will see the sentences of the previous chapter.

You will either need to fill in the blanks, choose the correct multiple choice option, or both.

Once you are done the correct answer will be shown.

You can redo the quiz as many times as you want.

Fill in the Blank!

Je café.

I smell coffee.

Fill in the Blank!

Est-ce que tu ?

Do you taste the lemon?

Fill in the Blank!

Que ?

What do you smell?

How to Practice With Flashcards for This Lesson

Using flashcards is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning a language!

It is the best way to memorize what you learn, you can personalize your progression because it adapts to your actions, and all flashcards have audio to improve your hearing and pronunciation.

Please read our article on how to learn a new language for more information on flashcards and the best way to learn a new language.

There are two ways to practice with Flashcards for this lesson.

  1. Anki
  2. The Flashcards in our Courses

Anki is a free software with which you can create and practice flashcards.

After you have downloaded Anki for free, you can get our French A1 Anki Deck.

This Anki Deck contains 3,764 flashcards with which you can practice absolutely everything for French A1.

All the flashcards have text, images, explanations, and audio.

You can also use our courses that have flashcards integrated alongside lessons with audio, quizzes and much more!

However, I am sure you are wondering, what are your courses, and why should I take them?

The Courses of Language Atlas

Have you ever wondered what the best way is to learn a new language?

I have been learning languages for over 20+ years and I was always frustrated with books, courses, and classes that I had tried.

It never really seemed to work for me.

I wanted to learn a language in the most effective and efficient way, and there was nothing out there for me.

So I thought, “why not make something myself?“.

Using my experience and by doing research I created Language Atlas, a platform where people can learn French and Spanish in the most effective and efficient way.

I created free lessons and quizzes so that there would always be a easy and accessible way for people to learn or brush up on their language skills.

However, I also created courses that are much more comprehensive and in-depth.

These courses are easy to follow, clear, and allow you to become fluent in the most effective and efficient way.

The courses of Language Atlas have:

  • 800+ Lessons with audio
  • 800+ Quizzes
  • 10,000 Flashcards with explanations, images, and audio
  • A gamified way of learning a new language
  • A vibrant community (including support from me)

You can register for free and try the French A0/A1 and Spanish A0/A1 Courses for free!

This includes over 60 lessons and quizzes, 500 flashcards that adapt to how you learn, and access to the community (including support from me).

All you have to do is study 30 minutes a day and you will be fluent in no time!

Don’t miss out – register for free and start learning!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Don't miss out on any new French Lessons! You will also get a free copy of our graphical overview of all French Verb Tenses, and the French A0/A1 Anki Deck!

More To Explore

Do You have any feedback? let me know!

I would love to know how I can make learning Languages easier for you