FastItalian LearningSign in
A2🔤 Letters R & S

Italian word

sentire

to hear, to feel, to smell (in some contexts)

Looks like

to sense

to perceive; to detect with a sense

⚠️ The trap

'Sentire' is broader than English 'sense'. It can mean to hear, feel, and in informal Italian even to smell or taste. 'Senti che buono!' = smell/taste how good that is! This breadth surprises English speakers.

To say "to perceive; to detect with a sense" in Italian:

sentire (overlaps — covers hear, feel, smell/taste to some extent)

"sentire" in English means:

to hear, to feel, to smell (in some contexts)

Example

"Sento un odore strano."

"I smell something strange."

Test your Italian level

Find your level and start the right lessons for you.

Take the test →