Se sentir vs sentir in statement/question

Anna U.A2Kwiziq community member

Se sentir vs sentir in statement/question

Statement: ...Je me sens beaucoup mieux !  Question: Tu sens une différence ?

Why does the question use sentir and not se sentir (ie, "Tu te sens...)?  Is it because the statement is about feeling better ("internal" feeling) and the question is about feeling a difference (perceiving something)?  Would "Tu te sens mieux ?" be a correct way to ask if someone is feeling better?


Asked 1 week ago
CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Bonjour Anna, 

To say how you are feeling, you will use a reflexive form of the verb - se sentir 

Take a look at the following lesson for its use and 'tu te sens mieux ?' would be correct to ask someone close to you 'Are you feeling better?

"Sentir bon" vs "Se sentir bien" - The different meanings of the verb "sentir" in French

In the other transitive use of the verb sentir, the expression is -

sentir une différence = to feel a difference 

It just means to be aware / to notice a difference 

I hope this helps!

Anna U. asked:

Se sentir vs sentir in statement/question

Statement: ...Je me sens beaucoup mieux !  Question: Tu sens une différence ?

Why does the question use sentir and not se sentir (ie, "Tu te sens...)?  Is it because the statement is about feeling better ("internal" feeling) and the question is about feeling a difference (perceiving something)?  Would "Tu te sens mieux ?" be a correct way to ask if someone is feeling better?


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