sentarse

to sit

sentarse(sehn-tahr-seh)

A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g. Miguel se lava.).

reflexive verb

1. (to adopt a sitting position)

a. to sit

Prefiero sentarme al lado del radiador.I prefer to sit next to the radiator.

b. to sit down

¿Por qué no te sientas un rato?Why don't you sit down for a while?

sentar

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).

transitive verb

2. (to place in a seat)

a. to sit

Senté a mi madre a mi lado.I sat my mother next to me.

3. (to establish)

a. to set

Sentamos las bases de la cooperación internacional.We set the foundations for international cooperation.

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

4. (to look good on)

a. to suit

Ese vestido no te sienta bien.That dress doesn't really suit you.

5. (food)

a. to agree with

Me gusta el ajo pero no me sienta bien.I like garlic, but it doesn't agree with me.

sentar

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).

transitive verb

1. (en asiento)

a. to seat, to sit

2. (establecer)

a.

sentar las bases parato lay the foundations of

sentar precedenteto set a precedent

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

3. (comida)

a.

sentar bien/mal a alguiento agree/disagree with somebody

algunos consideran que una copita de vino sienta biensome people think a glass of wine is good for you

4. (ropa, color)

a. to suit

no le sienta bienit doesn't suit her

5. (vacaciones, medicamento)

a.

sentar bien a alguiento do somebody good

6. (comentario, consejo)

a.

le sentó malit upset her

le sentó bienshe appreciated it

A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g. Te ves cansado.).

pronominal verb

7. (general)

a. to sit down

sentarse a hacer algoto sit down and do something

siéntatetake a seat

siéntate donde quierassit wherever you like

sentar

transitive verb

1 [+persona] to sit; seat

2 (colocar) [+objeto] to place; place firmly

sentar las costuras to press the seams; sentar el último ladrillo to tap the last brick into place; sentar las bases de algo to lay the foundations for sth

3 (establecer) [+base, principio] to establish; [+precedente] to set

4

sentar una suma en la cuenta de algn (Com) to put a sum down to sb's account

5 (And) (Caribe) [+persona] to crush; squash

6 (And) [+caballo] to rein in sharply; pull up sharply

intransitive verb

1 (en el aspecto) to suit

ese peinado le sienta horriblemente that hairstyle doesn't suit her at all; that hairstyle looks awful on her

2

sentar bien/mal a algn [+comida] to agree/disagree with sb; no me sientan bien las gambas prawns disagree with me; unas vacaciones le sentarían bien he could do with a holiday

3 (agradar)

sentar bien/mal to go down well/badly; le ha sentado mal que lo hayas hecho tú he didn't like your doing it

sentar como un tiro

a mí me sienta como un tiro it suits me like a hole in the head (familiar)

pronominal verb

sentarse

1 [+persona] to sit; sit down; seat o.s. (formal)

¡siéntese! (do) sit down; take a seat; sentémonos aquí let's sit (down) here; se sentó a comer she sat down to eat

2 [+sedimento] to settle

3 [+tiempo] to settle; settle down; clear up

4 (Archit) [+cimientos] to settle