sentimental
/sentimenˈtal/
The English word sentimental is translated into Spanish as sentimental.
sentimental is 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 adjective sentimental is gender-neutral and remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. To make sentimental plural, add -es to form sentimentales.
How do you pronounce it?
/sentimenˈtal/
Did you know?
- If you want to say someone is 'sentimental' in a way that implies they are being overly dramatic or 'sappy', a Spaniard might use the word cursi instead.
- Though sentimental is a cognate, Spanish uses the phrase me llega al corazón ('it reaches my heart') as a common idiomatic reaction to something that feels sentimental.
- In Spanish, the word sentimental can be used to describe a person's temperament as being 'sensitive' or 'emotional', whereas in English, 'sentimental' often carries a slightly more negative, mushy connotation.
Examples in context
- La hermana menor es más sentimental que la otra.The younger sister is more sentimental than the other.Tatoeba #11577691 by carlosalberto, translation #11577676 by carlosalberto
- Ese libro tiene un valor emocional muy alto para míThat book has a very high sentimental value for me
- El regalo de mi abuela tiene un significado afectivo muy especialThe gift from my grandmother has a very special sentimental meaning
- Su discurso fue muy tierno y conmovedorHis speech was very sentimental and moving
- Esa canción siempre me pone melancólico/aThat song always makes me sentimental
- Muy conmovedor/aVery moving
- Un poco emotivo/aA bit sentimental
- Esa película antigua es muy sentimental.That old movie is very sentimental.
- No seas tan sentimental con este regalo.Don't be so sentimental with this gift.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at old family photos.
- DanielMira esta foto, me pongo sentimental.Look at this photo, I'm getting sentimental.
- LucíaYo también, fueron tiempos muy felices.Me too, those were very happy times.
- DanielNo sabía que eras tan sentimental, Lucía.I didn't know you were so sentimental, Lucía.
- LucíaSolo cuando veo recuerdos de mi familia.Only when I see memories of my family.
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.
