sentido
/senˈtido/masculine
The Spanish word for sense (meaning or reason) is sentido.
sentido is used to refer to the meaning, purpose or coherence of an idea. While it can also refer to biological senses like sight or hearing, in a logical context, it describes whether something is coherent. To express that something 'makes sense', Spanish uses the verb tener (to have) to form the phrase tener sentido, rather than using the verb 'to make'. You can also use the phrase sentido común for 'common sense', or sin sentido to describe something that is nonsensical or lacks meaning.
Meaning: meaning or reason (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word sentido is derived from the verb sentir, which means 'to feel'. It can translate to sense, feeling or direction.
Which one should you use?
In a logical context, sentido refers to the coherence or purpose of an idea, whereas in a biological context, it refers to physical senses.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the verb calar is used to express the notion of figuring something out or getting a sense of a situation.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/senˈtido/
Did you know?
- A speech described as sentido is not one that 'makes sense' logically, but one that is deeply 'heartfelt' or emotionally moving.
- While sentido refers to logical meaning, Spanish uses sentido to describe the physical direction of a one-way street, such as sentido único.
- If someone says they have perdido el sentido, they are not saying they lost the meaning of a word, but that they have actually fainted or lost consciousness.
Examples in context
- Eso no tuvo sentido.That didn't really make sense.This sentence shows how to say that something didn't make sense using sentido.Tatoeba #4945608 by DarkHollow, translation #3396575 by CK
- Eso no tiene sentido.This makes no sense.This sentence shows how to say that something makes no sense using sentido.Tatoeba #940060 by Shishir, translation #55794 by CK
- Eso es sentido común.That's common sense.This sentence shows how to say 'common sense' using sentido.Tatoeba #1192259 by marcelostockle, translation #42217 by CK
- El sentido del oído es fundamental para disfrutar de la música.The sense of hearing is fundamental to enjoy music.
- La sensación de frío en la montaña es maravillosa.The sense of cold in the mountains is wonderful.
- Sabe a miel.It tastes like honey.
- Me puse los pelos de punta.My hair stood on end.
- María tiene mucho olfato para los negocios.Maria has a great business sense.
- Palpé el relieve de la escultura con mis manos.I sensed the sculpture's relief with my hands.
- 202 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing a difficult book in a cafe.
- Elena¿Le encuentras algún sentido a este capítulo?Do you find any sense in this chapter?
- MateoNo, no tiene sentido para mí.No, it makes no sense to me.
- ElenaEs un texto muy extraño.It is a very strange text.
- MateoTal vez le falta sentido lógico.Perhaps it lacks logical sense.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sense” translations and entries sentido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
