Feelings -- Sentir or Sentirse

Question

In the dictionary here on SpanishDict, it says this:

1. feelings, sentiments sentirse

Now, on another grammar site I use, it says that you use "sentir" for feelings.

Siento pena y tristeza por ello. I feel shameful and sad about it.

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El atleta dijo que sentía alegría y satisfacción por el logro del campeonato. The athlete said he felt joyful and satisfied about attaining the championship.

It is a bit confusing especially since the dictionary did not give any examples. Could someone further explain this?

Thanks!

Answer 1

When you want to say that you yourself feels an emotion, you would use the reflexive verb sentirse. Same for all conjugations. Also for physical conditions like, tired. You can do it your way or this way.

Me siento feliz.

Te sientes triste.

Se siente apenado.

Nos sentimos alegres.

Se sienten cansados.

Your sentences above can be re-written with sentirse also - Me siento apenado y triste. El atleta dijo que se sentía alegre y satisfecho ...

Thank you :) So, then the examples I listed above are correct with either "sentir" or "sentirse" ? - NikkiLR, Jun 4, 2011