sentarse (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Verb

Phonetic Transcription

• /senˈtarse/

Translation Options into English

• To sit down
• To sit

Meaning and Usage

"Sentarse" is a reflexive verb in Spanish that means "to sit down" or "to take a seat." It is used to describe the action of moving from a standing position to a sitting position. In the Spanish language, it is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, but the frequency in oral speech is generally higher, especially in everyday conversations.

Example Sentences

1. Voy a sentarme en el sofá.

2. I am going to sit down on the sofa.

3. Cuando llegues, por favor, siéntate.

4. When you arrive, please sit down.

5. Ella se sentó en la silla frente a mí.

6. She sat down in the chair in front of me.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Sentarse" is often used in various idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Sentarse a la mesa.
2. To sit at the table.

3. Example: Cuando la cena está lista, todos se sienten a la mesa.

   • When dinner is ready, everyone sits at the table.

4. Sentarse bien/mal.

5. To sit well/badly (often used to describe how a person feels after a meal).

6. Example: Ese plato me sentó mal y ahora tengo dolor de estómago.

   • That dish didn’t sit well with me, and now I have stomach pain.

7. Sentarse en la primera fila.

8. To sit in the front row.

9. Example: Prefiero sentarme en la primera fila cuando voy al cine.

   • I prefer to sit in the front row when I go to the movies.

10. Sentarse y esperar.

11. To sit and wait.
12. Example: A veces lo mejor es sentarse y esperar a que las cosas mejoren.
    • Sometimes the best thing is to sit and wait for things to get better.

Etymology

The verb "sentarse" comes from the Latin verb "sedēre," which means "to sit." The reflexive form "sentarse" emphasizes the action taken by the subject upon themselves, indicating that someone is performing the action of sitting down.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Asentar (to settle)
• Sentar (to seat)
• Colocar (to place, to put)

Antonyms

• Levantarse (to stand up)
• Estar de pie (to be standing)