sensation
/sɑ̃.sa.sjɔ̃/feminine
The French word for sensation is sensation.
sensation refers to a physical feeling or perception, such as a tingling or a sensation of heat. While the word can also mean a public stir or sensation as it does in English, in French it is frequently used to describe a specific physical feeling or perception, such as a tingling or a sensation of heat.
Meaning: physical feeling (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun sensation is feminine. Because of this, it is preceded by the feminine article une or the adjective grande. To express the idiomatic idea of something "causing a sensation" or being "a hit", use the verbal phrase faire sensation.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /sɑ̃.sa.sjɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- While sensation describes a physical feeling, French uses the word ressenti to describe the subjective emotional experience or the way a person internally perceives a sensation.
- In French, the phrase faire sensation describes making a grand entrance or impressing people, while the English 'cause a sensation' often refers to a shocking piece of news.
- In English, you might say someone 'felt a sensation', but in French, you are more likely to say you 'have' a sensation, using the verb avoir.
Examples in context
- Le film a fait grande sensation.The movie created a great sensation.This example shows how a movie can cause a great sensation using sensation.Tatoeba #1400786 by Delapouite, translation #49546 by al_ex_an_der
- La coupe des Beatles fit sensation.The hair style of the Beatles created a sensation.This example uses sensation to describe how a hair style created a sensation.Tatoeba #333827 by sysko, translation #34863 by AlanF_US
- J'avais la sensation persistante de l'avoir vu quelque part auparavant.I had a nagging sensation that I'd seen him somewhere before.This example illustrates a persistent feeling or sensation of having seen someone before.Tatoeba #1684645 by sacredceltic, translation #1683438 by CK
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are talking about a recent medical checkup.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as une sensation étrange ?Do you have a strange sensation?
- LéaOui, j'ai une sensation de brûlure ici.Yes, I have a burning sensation here.
- GabrielLéa, est-ce que c'est douloureux ?Léa, is it painful?
- LéaUn peu, mais ce n'est pas insupportable.A little, but it is not unbearable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sensation” translations and entries sensation, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
