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A simple storybook illustration of a friendly character in the process of lowering themselves onto a small, simple wooden stool.

sentarme

sen-TAR-me

verbA1irregular (stem-changing e > ie) ar
to sit down (myself)?Used when the speaker is the one performing the action on themselves.
Also:to take a seat?Often used after modal verbs like 'I need to' or 'I want to'.

Quick Reference

infinitivesentarse
gerundsentándome
past Participlesentado

📝 In Action

Necesito sentarme después de tanto caminar.

A1

I need to sit down after walking so much.

¿Puedo sentarme aquí contigo?

A1

Can I sit here with you?

Fui al sofá para sentarme a leer un libro.

A2

I went to the sofa to sit down and read a book.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tomar asiento (to take a seat)
  • acomodarse (to get comfortable)

Antonyms

  • levantarme (to stand up (myself))

Common Collocations

  • Quiero sentarme – I want to sit down
  • Permítame sentarme – Allow me to sit down

💡 Grammar Points

The Reflexive 'Me'

The 'me' attached to the end means the action of sitting is being done by and to the speaker (I). This structure is used when the verb is in the infinitive form, usually after another verb like 'I want to' or 'I need to'.

Stem-Changing Verb

The verb 'sentar' is a stem-changer. The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms (e.g., 'me siento'), but not in the 'we' (nosotros) form ('nos sentamos').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Sentar' and 'Sentarse'

Mistake: "Quiero sentar."

Correction: Quiero sentarme. ('Sentar' without the 'me' means 'to seat someone else' or 'to suit/fit'). The reflexive 'sentarme' is necessary when seating yourself.

⭐ Usage Tips

Placement of 'Me'

When using this form, you can either attach 'me' to the end (Quiero sentarme) OR place 'me' before the conjugated verb (Me quiero sentar). Both are correct and very common!

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedse sienta
yome siento
túte sientas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse sientan
nosotrosnos sentamos
vosotrosos sentáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse sentaba
yome sentaba
túte sentabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse sentaban
nosotrosnos sentábamos
vosotrosos sentabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedse sentó
yome senté
túte sentaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesse sentaron
nosotrosnos sentamos
vosotrosos sentasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedse siente
yome siente
túte sientes
ellos/ellas/ustedesse sienten
nosotrosnos sentemos
vosotrosos sentéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse sentara / se sentase
yome sentara / me sentase
túte sentaras / te sentases
ellos/ellas/ustedesse sentaran / se sentasen
nosotrosnos sentáramos / nos sentásemos
vosotrosos sentarais / os sentaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: sentarme

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses the reflexive structure of 'sentarme' in a past tense?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this word end in 'me'?

The word 'sentarme' is the base verb 'sentar' plus the pronoun 'me' (myself). This structure is used when the verb is in the infinitive (unconjugated) form, and it tells you that the person speaking (I) is doing the action to themselves.

What is the difference between 'sentar' and 'sentarme'?

'Sentar' means 'to seat' or 'to set down' (you are acting on someone or something else). 'Sentarme' (from 'sentarse') means 'to sit down' or 'to seat oneself' (you are acting on yourself). If you want to sit, you must use the reflexive form.