sentir Present Conjugation
sentir — to feel
Sentir has an e > ie stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
sentir Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present to describe current physical sensations, emotions, or to express regret (Lo siento).
Notes on sentir in the Present
This is a standard e > ie stem-changing verb. The 'e' in the root becomes 'ie' when stressed.
Example Sentences
Lo siento mucho, no puedo ir.
I'm so sorry, I can't go.
yo
¿Sientes ese olor a café?
Do you smell (feel) that coffee smell?
tú
Sentimos que esta es la mejor opción.
We feel that this is the best option.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: sentimos (as a stem change)
Correct: sentimos
Why: The nosotros and vosotros forms never take the stem change in the present indicative.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: sentí
Sentir is irregular in the third person, changing e > i: sintió and sintieron.
Imperfect
yo: sentía
Sentir is regular in the imperfect: sentía, sentías, sentía, sentíamos, sentíais, sentían.
Future
yo: sentiré
Sentir is completely regular in the future tense: sentiré, sentirás, sentirá...
Conditional
yo: sentiría
Sentir is regular in the conditional: sentiría, sentirías, sentiría, sentiríamos, sentiríais, sentirían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: sienta
Sentir has a dual stem change: e > ie in most forms, and e > i in nosotros/vosotros.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: sintiera
Sentir uses the stem 'sintier-' for all forms in the imperfect subjunctive.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: siente
The imperative uses 'siente' (tú) and 'sienta' (usted), following present stem changes.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sientas
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no sientas, no sienta, no sintamos, no sintáis, no sientan.