comment tu te sens
The phrase "how you are feeling" in French is translated as comment tu te sens.
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current emotional or physical state. While it focuses on internal sensations, it is distinct from general inquiries like comment vas-tu ?, which asks more broadly how someone is doing or how their life is going.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase comment tu te sens is a literal construction meaning "how you yourself feel", consisting of comment (how), tu (you), te (yourself) and sens (feel).
Which one should you use?
Comment tu te sens focuses specifically on a person's internal emotional or physical sensations. In contrast, comment vas-tu ? is a more general way to ask how someone is doing or inquire about their general well-being.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the phrase Je suis énervé(e) is used to mean "I am annoyed".
Did you know?
- The word sens is a linguistic chameleon. In French, it can refer to your physical feelings, your direction or path, or even your ability to reason.
- While the French tu is used in this phrase, it is a cognate of the German du and the Russian ты.
- The verb se sentir is often used in French to describe a state of being that would use 'to be' in English, such as feeling lonely or feeling tired.
Examples in context
- Comment vous sentez-vous à l'idée de travailler sous pression?How do you feel about the idea of working under pressure?
- Je me sens prêt(e) et motivé(e) à relever les défis.I feel ready and motivated to take on challenges.
- Je suis déprimé(e) ces derniers temps, mais ça va passer.I have been depressed lately, but it will pass.
- Dis-moi, comment tu te sens aujourd'hui ?Tell me, how are you feeling today?
- Je me demande comment tu te sens après cette nouvelle.I wonder how you are feeling after this news.
- Comment tu te sens avec toute cette fatigue ?How are you feeling with all this tiredness?
Example conversation
Chloé is checking on Nathan after he has been ill.
- ChloéCoucou Nathan, comment tu te sens maintenant ?Hi Nathan, how are you feeling now?
- NathanUn peu mieux, merci Chloé.A bit better, thank you Chloé.
- ChloéTu veux encore te reposer un peu ?Do you want to rest a bit more?
- NathanOui, je vais rester au lit.Yes, I am going to stay in bed.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, sens, te, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
