"Nous nous sentons" versus "nous sentons"

Question

I completed a fill in the blank sentence as "Nous nous sentons la friture" and it was considered correct for "We smell like fried food". However, an alternative answer was also suggested, "Nous sentons la friture".  From what I understand now, it seems that "Nous sentons la friture" is the usual way to say this.Is "Nous nous sentons", in this situation, just a matter of emphasizing the point?

Accepted Answer

Hi Beverly, 
The sentence that you suggest was correct -
" nous nous sentons la friture "
is incorrect for 'we smell like fried food' so it should not be accepted. Please let us know which 'fill-in-the-blanks' you are talking about, a title will do,  so that we can look at it in detail.
Here is a lesson on the different meanings of the verb 'sentir' -
Describing senses with "sentir" - The different meanings of the verb "sentir" in French
As for the use of the reflexive 'se sentir', it means 'to feel'

Je ne me sens pas bien = I don't feel well 
Elle se sent forcée de l'accepter = She feels forced to accept it 
Ils se sentent aimés = They feel loved 
Je me sens à l'aise avec lui = I feel at ease ( comfortable) with him

etc.
Hope this helps!

Answer

Hi Beverly,The verb sentir is transitive so needs an object to complete its meaning.Therefore "Nous sentons la friture" --> We smell fried food.Se sentir is a pronominal verb where the "sensation" is felt to oneself.Therefore "Nous nous sentons la friture" --> We smell of fried food (perhaps the scent has permeated their clothing.)Hope this helps.Jim

Answer

Thank you very much Cécile. So as I understand:

Nous sentons la friture = We smell like/of fried food.

Nous nous sentons la friture = We feel like we are fried food! (or something comical like that)

||Please let us know which 'fill-in-the-blanks' you are talking about, a title will do, so that we can look at it in detail.||

When I answer questions in the quizzes, I don't see a title so I am unsure as to how to report a question, other than perhaps copying and pasting it the next time I see it?

Answer

Hi Beverly, 
I have found the sentence you mention in the lesson quizzes at the end of the lesson you pinned to your query and we have taken away the extra nous in the answer.
You could have and extra 'nous' if for instance you said -
Nous, nous sentons la friture = We DO smell of fried food 
emphasizing the personal pronoun nous by repeating it.
Just to address your last comment -
nous nous sentons la friture is still incorrect. 
The reflexive verb 'se sentir' will be followed by either an adjective ( or an adverb like bien /mal).
Hope this clarifies matters but thank you for pointing this out as it has now been rectified.