sentimental
/sɑ̃.ti.mɑ̃.tal/
The English phrase "sentimental" is translated into French as sentimental.
The term is an adjective used to describe something characterized by sentiment, sentimentality or excess emotion.
Meaning: characterized by sentiment, sentimentality or excess emotion (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular is sentimental. To form the feminine singular, add an 'e' to the end to get sentimentale. For the masculine plural, the word follows the irregular pattern by adding 'aux' instead of 's', resulting in sentimentaux. The feminine plural is created by adding 'es' to the feminine singular form, producing sentimentales.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɑ̃.ti.mɑ̃.tal/. The word has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- If you want to describe a person who is easily moved to tears or deeply sensitive in a more common, everyday way, you might use the word sensible, which is a 'false friend' because in English 'sensible' means being practical and logical.
- In French literature and philosophy, the movement known as le sentimentalisme was a reaction against the cold rationalism of the Enlightenment, prioritizing the heart over the mind.
- In French, sentimentale can be used as a noun, une sentimentale, to categorize a person who is prone to excessive emotion.
Examples in context
- Il a une valeur sentimentale.It has sentimental value.This sentence demonstrates the use of sentimental to describe value.Tatoeba #11484999 by lbdx, translation #2973577 by Hybrid
- Il a complètement évité d'être sentimental.He has completely avoided being sentimental.This sentence shows how to use sentimental to describe a person's behavior.Tatoeba #2343639 by sacredceltic, translation #688057 by ulyssemc1
- La sœur cadette est plus sentimentale que l'autre.The younger sister is more sentimental than the other.This sentence illustrates the comparison of a subject using the feminine form sentimentale.Tatoeba #11577690 by carlosalberto, translation #11577676 by carlosalberto
- Son discours sentimental a touché les cœurs de tous les invités.His sentimental speech touched the hearts of all the guests.
- Les souvenirs tendres de mon enfance me rendent sentimental.The tender memories of my childhood make me sentimental.
- Élisabeth était sentimentale lorsqu'elle a ouvert la boîte de vieilles lettres.Élisabeth was sentimental when she opened the box of old letters.
- La chanson nostalgique et les paroles touchantes ont rendu la soirée très sentimentale.The nostalgic song and the touching lyrics made the evening very sentimental.
- La cérémonie de remise des prix était remplie de discours émouvants et sentimentaux.The award ceremony was filled with moving and sentimental speeches.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are looking through old childhood photographs.
- LucasRegarde cette photo, c'est tellement sentimental !Look at this photo, it's so sentimental!
- EmmaOui, je deviens très sentimental avec ces souvenirs.Yes, I get very sentimental with these memories.
- LucasTu as toujours été le plus sentimental de nous deux.You have always been the most sentimental of the two of us.
- EmmaC'est vrai, Lucas, j'adore garder tous ces petits objets.That's true, Lucas, I love keeping all these little objects.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sentimental” translations and entries sentimental, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
