sentirlo
/sen-TEER-lo/
to feel it
Visualizing 'sentirlo' as 'to feel it' (sensation).
sentirlo(Verb (Infinitive form with attached direct object pronoun))
to feel it
?sensation or emotion
,to sense it
?perception
to perceive it
?formal awareness
📝 In Action
No quiero sentirlo, es demasiado doloroso.
A2I don't want to feel it; it's too painful.
¿Puedes sentirlo? Hay un terremoto muy leve.
A2Can you feel it? There's a very slight earthquake.
Empecé a sentirlo justo después de la cena.
B1I started to feel it right after dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
Pronoun Attachment
The 'lo' attached to the end means 'it' (or refers to a masculine thing or a general idea you just spoke about). This compound word literally means 'to feel [it].'
Placement Flexibility
When you have two verbs (like 'debo sentir'), the pronoun can attach to the infinitive ('debo sentirlo') OR go before the first conjugated verb ('lo debo sentir'). Both ways are correct.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Sentirse' for Direct Objects
Mistake: "Using 'sentirse' (the reflexive form, meaning 'to feel oneself') when you mean 'to feel something else.'"
Correction: Use 'sentir' + object pronoun ('sentirlo') when the feeling is directed at an external thing or idea. Use 'Me siento...' when describing your own emotional state.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Infinitive
Since this word is the infinitive form, it is most often used after prepositions (like 'para') or after another conjugated verb (like 'necesito').
Visualizing 'sentirlo' as 'to regret it' (sorrow).
sentirlo(Verb (Infinitive form with attached direct object pronoun))
to regret it
?expressing sorrow
,to be sorry about it
?apology
to lament it
?formal expression of sorrow
📝 In Action
Tienes que llamar a tu madre y sentirlo de verdad.
B1You have to call your mother and truly regret it (be truly sorry).
Es difícil para él admitir el error y luego sentirlo.
B2It's difficult for him to admit the mistake and then regret it.
Si no vas a sentirlo, ¿por qué te disculpas?
C1If you aren't going to regret it, why are you apologizing?
💡 Grammar Points
Connection to 'Lo siento'
This meaning is the base form of the very common apology 'Lo siento' (I am sorry). 'Sentirlo' is the act of 'to be sorry for it' or 'to feel regret for it.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Implied Object
When used this way, 'lo' often refers to a whole situation or event, not just a single physical object, like 'the mistake' or 'the bad news.'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sentirlo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'sentirlo' in the sense of expressing regret?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'sentir' and 'sentirse'?
'Sentir' (to feel) is used when you feel an external thing ('Siento el frío' / 'I feel the cold'). 'Sentirse' (to feel oneself) is used to describe your own internal state ('Me siento feliz' / 'I feel happy'). 'Sentirlo' is based on the first type, 'sentir'.
Why is the conjugation of 'sentir' irregular?
The verb 'sentir' changes its stem vowel from 'e' to 'ie' in many present tense forms (like 'siento'). It also changes 'e' to 'i' in the preterite and subjunctive tenses (like 'sintió'). You just have to memorize these changes, but they follow a common pattern for many 'ir' verbs.