siéntate
/syEN-tah-teh/
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Por favor, siéntate aquí conmigo.
A1Please, sit down here with me.
¡Siéntate! La película va a empezar.
A1Sit down! The movie is about to start.
Si estás cansado, siéntate un rato.
A2If you're tired, sit down for a while.
💡 Grammar Points
A Command + 'You' in One Word
'Siéntate' is a command made of two parts: 'sienta' (the command 'sit') and 'te' ('you'). In Spanish, when you give a positive command, you often attach the little word for 'you' right to the end of the verb.
The 'Tú' Form: Friendly and Informal
The '-te' at the end tells you this command is for 'tú' (the informal 'you'). You'd say this to a friend, a family member, or a child, but not to a boss or someone you just met.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'Sienta te'
Mistake: "Sienta te."
Correction: Siéntate. For positive commands, the little word for 'you' ('te') must be attached directly to the verb, making it one single word.
Forgetting the Accent Mark
Mistake: "sientate"
Correction: siéntate. Adding 'te' to the end changes the word's rhythm. The accent mark on the 'é' keeps the stress in the right place so it sounds natural: si-EN-ta-te.
⭐ Usage Tips
How to Be More Polite
Just like in English, adding 'por favor' makes the command softer and more polite. For example, 'Por favor, siéntate.'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: siéntate
Question 1 of 1
You want to tell your new boss to have a seat. Which of the following is the most appropriate way to say it?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'siéntate' and 'siéntese'?
'Siéntate' is the informal command you use with friends, family, or people younger than you (the 'tú' form). 'Siéntese' is the formal command you use with strangers, older people, or in professional settings (the 'usted' form). The one you choose shows your relationship to the person.
Why is there an accent on siéntate?
The original command is 'sienta'. The natural stress is on the 'e' (siEn-ta). When you add 'te' to the end, you add another syllable. To keep the stress on the same original vowel, Spanish adds an accent mark. This is a rule that helps you pronounce it correctly: siÉn-ta-te.
How do I say 'Don't sit down'?
To make a negative command, you change the structure. Instead of 'siéntate', you say 'no te sientes'. Notice that the pronoun 'te' moves to before the verb, and the verb ending changes from '-a' to '-es'.