What does sentir in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word sentir in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use sentir in French.

The word sentir in French means smell, smell, smell of, feel, feel, stink of, reek of, smell, smell, feel, feel up to , feel equal to, feel, sense, appreciate, have a/an + [adjective] feeling about, can't stand , can't bear, not feel well, not feel up to doing, not look good, smell rotten, smell bad, be too big for your boots, be a big-headed so-and-so, be felt, feel safe, feel cramped, feel hemmed in, feel bloated, feel good, feel comfortable with yourself, feel at ease with yourself, feel comfortable in your own skin, feel at home, feel capable of doing , feel able to do, feel far from home, feel at ease, feel comfortable, feel secure, feel good, feel that you are being judged, feel light, not feel well, have a bad feeling, feel better, feel you have to do , feel obliged to do, feel yourself losing consciousness, feel yourself slipping away, feel exhilarated, feel alone, feel peculiar, feel that you are being singled out, feel that you are being targeted, have a strong whiff of about it, smell good, smell nice and + [adjective], have smelly feet, have stinking feet, be on the home straight, smell of smoke, smell of cigarettes, smell of tobacco, smell of mothballs, be a bit fusty, be a bit old and fusty, stink like a billy goat, be a smell of burning, be a burning smell, stink of sweat, smell of gas, smell of grease, smell like a trap, smell like a set-up, smell clean, smell fresh, stink to high heaven, smell musty, smell fusty, smell stale, smell like something is burning, smell like trouble, have one foot in the grave, seem true to life, smell, have a lump in your throat, feel a lump in your throat, if the need becomes apparent. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word sentir

smell

verbe transitif (percevoir par l'odorat)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

J'aime sentir l'odeur de l'herbe coupée.

I love smelling the fragrance of cut grass.

smell

verbe transitif (humer l'air ambiant)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

As-tu senti l'odeur de ces fleurs ?

Have you smelled these flowers?

smell of

verbe transitif (dégager une odeur)

L'ouvrier agricole sentait la transpiration.

The farm worker smelled of sweat.

feel

verbe transitif (éprouver [qch] dans son corps)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Je commence à sentir la fatigue.

I am beginning to feel tired.

feel

verbe transitif (percevoir une impression physique)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

À cette heure, on sent la fraîcheur du soir.

You can feel the evening freshness now.

stink of, reek of

verbe transitif (rappeler) (figurative)

Ça sent le racisme à plein nez.

That stinks of racism.

smell

verbe intransitif (dégager une odeur)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Ces roses sentent très bon.

These roses smell great.

smell

verbe intransitif (avoir une mauvaise odeur)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Ce camembert commence à sentir : il faudrait le manger vite.

That Camembert is starting to smell; we'd better eat it quickly.

feel

verbe pronominal (éprouver une sensation en soi)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Je me sens bien.

I feel good.

feel up to , feel equal to

verbe pronominal (avoir le courage de faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Je ne me sens pas de faire une longue marche à pied dans la neige.

I don't feel up to a long walk in the snow.

feel

verbe transitif (avoir conscience d'une partie de son corps)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Je sens mon dos quand je me baisse.

I feel my back when I bend down.

sense, appreciate

verbe transitif (éprouver par la sensibilité)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Elle sentait la beauté de cette musique.

She sensed the beauty of the music.

have a/an + [adjective] feeling about

verbe transitif (surtout à la négation (avoir une impression)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tu veux vraiment partir avec lui ? Moi, je ne le sens pas, ce type. Alors, tu le sens comment, ce séminaire ? Tu penses qu'il va bien se passer ? Sauter sur le bâtiment d'en face. Je le sens pas trop.

Jump to the building opposite? I don't fancy that much.

can't stand , can't bear

locution verbale (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet hypocrite arriviste, je ne peux pas le sentir !

not feel well

locution verbale (avoir mauvais moral ou forme)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Je ne me sens pas bien en voyageant en train.

not feel up to doing

locution verbale (avoir du mal à l'idée de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

not look good

locution verbale (figuré (mal augurer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ça ne sent pas bon pour le petit candidat qui est passé sous la barre des 5% dans les sondages.

smell rotten, smell bad

locution verbale (familier (sentir mauvais)

Il faut enlever toutes ces ordures, ça sent pas la rose !

be too big for your boots, be a big-headed so-and-so

locution verbale (très familier (être devenu imbus de soi-même)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Depuis qu'il a exposé une de ses toiles, il ne se sent plus pisser !

be felt

(ne pas être négligeable)

feel safe

(se croire protégé de [qch])

feel cramped

(ne pas avoir assez d'espace)

feel hemmed in

(figuré (ne pas être à son aise) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel bloated

locution verbale (avoir mal au ventre)

Ils se sentirent ballonnés en quittant le restaurant.

feel good

locution verbale (avoir bon moral et forme)

Je me sens bien en marchant en montagne.

feel comfortable with yourself, feel at ease with yourself

locution verbale (être heureux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Grâce à cette psychanalyse, je me sens enfin bien dans ma peau.

feel comfortable in your own skin

locution verbale (figuré (s'accepter tel qu'on est)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Elle aide des ados pour qu'ils se sentent bien dans leur corps.

feel at home

locution verbale (être à l'aise)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel capable of doing , feel able to do

(penser être capable de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel far from home

locution verbale (être dans un environnement inhabituel)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Lors de mon trek au Népal, je me sentis dépaysée.

feel at ease, feel comfortable

(être sûr de soi)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel secure

(penser ne rien risquer)

feel good

locution verbale (être en forme)

Elle se sent toujours en train quand elle est amoureuse.

feel that you are being judged

(péjoratif (être persuadé d'être critiqué)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

feel light

(figuré (être à l'aise)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

not feel well

(ne pas être en forme)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have a bad feeling

(angoissé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel better

locution verbale (être en meilleure forme)

Elle se sent mieux après ses vacances.

feel you have to do , feel obliged to do

(penser devoir faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel yourself losing consciousness

(être sur le point de s'évanouir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel yourself slipping away

(être sur le point de mourir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel exhilarated

locution verbale (aborder les choses avec aisance)

feel alone

locution verbale (se sentir délaissé)

Les grands-parents se sentent seuls dans leur village.

feel peculiar

(être dans un état second)

Marie se sent toujours toute chose la veille d'un examen.

feel that you are being singled out, feel that you are being targeted

locution verbale (ressentir une remarque pour soi)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

L'homme se sentait visé par toutes les rumeurs qui couraient dans la ville.

have a strong whiff of about it

locution verbale (augurer [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ça sent l'arnaque à plein nez !

That smacks of a rip off.

smell good

locution verbale (dégager une odeur agréable)

J'aime bien cet après-rasage, il sent bon !

smell nice and + [adjective]

locution verbale (dégager l'odeur agréable de [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Après une bonne lessive, mon linge sent bon le propre. // La pièce sentait bon la lavande.

The room had the scent of lavender.

have smelly feet, have stinking feet

locution verbale (familier (avoir les pieds qui sentent mauvais)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be on the home straight

locution verbale (se rapprocher de la maison)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

smell of smoke, smell of cigarettes, smell of tobacco

locution verbale (exhaler une odeur de tabac)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Je suis sûr que tu as fumé : tu sens la cigarette !

smell of mothballs

locution verbale (exhaler une odeur de naphtaline)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be a bit fusty, be a bit old and fusty

locution verbale (figuré (être un peu démodé) (figurative, pejorative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

stink like a billy goat

locution verbale (familier (sentir la transpiration)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ça sentait le bouc dans le vestiaire après le match.

be a smell of burning, be a burning smell

locution verbale (produire une odeur de trop cuit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ça sent le brûlé dans la cuisine.

There is a burning smell in the kitchen.

stink of sweat

locution verbale (familier (puer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ça sent le fauve dans la chambre de mon fils !

My son's room stinks of sweat!

smell of gas

locution verbale (exhaler une odeur de gaz)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

smell of grease

locution verbale (sentir l'odeur de la friture)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

smell like a trap, smell like a set-up

locution verbale (augurer un piège)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

I can smell a rat.

smell clean, smell fresh

locution verbale (avoir une odeur fraîche)

Après une bonne lessive, mon linge sent bon le propre.

stink to high heaven

locution verbale (empester, sentir mauvais)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mais qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ici ? C'est horrible, ça sent le rat crevé !

What on earth has happened here? It smells like something died!

smell musty, smell fusty, smell stale

locution verbale (manquer d'aération)

Cette maison, restée trop longtemps fermée, sentait le renfermé.

smell like something is burning

locution verbale (il y a une odeur de brûlé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Arrête le four, ça sent le roussi.

Switch the oven off; it smells like something's burning!

smell like trouble

locution verbale (figuré, familier (ça n'évolue pas favorablement) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il quitte discrètement la salle, car le ton monte, cela sent le roussi.

have one foot in the grave

(familier (bientôt mourir) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il a vraiment une sale tête : ça sent le sapin ! Cette émission n'a fait que 0,5% de part de marché : je pense que ça sent le sapin pour elle !

That show only has 0.5% audience share; I think it's on its last legs.

seem true to life

locution verbale (être dû à l'expérience)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

C'est une histoire poignante, ça sent le vécu.

smell

locution verbale (avoir une odeur désagréable)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Quand on rentre dans ces toilettes, ça sent mauvais.

have a lump in your throat, feel a lump in your throat

locution verbale (sentir les larmes arriver)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

if the need becomes apparent

(si c'est nécessaire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

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So now that you know more about the meaning of sentir in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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