sentarse
neutral, Mexico
The verb "to sit" in Mexican Spanish is sentarse. It is reflexive, so you say me siento for I sit and se sienta for he or she sits. It is also called siéntate.
Meaning: rest the body on a seat (verb)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| sentarse | neutral, Mexico |
| siéntate | command |
For a place you say Me siento aquí and for being seated estar sentado. Dog trainers say siéntate or sentado.
How does it change in a sentence?
Sentarse changes its stem: me siento, te sientas, nos sentamos. The past is me senté.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse sentar as in Sentó al niño (he sat the child) with the reflexive sentarse, where the subject sits themselves.
Did you know?
- In Spanish the word sobremesa names the time after a meal when people stay seated and talk.
Examples in context
- Me siento junto a la ventana.I sit next to the window.
- Nos sentamos a comer.We sat down to eat.
- Mi perro ya sabe sentarse.My dog already knows how to sit.
Example conversation
Teacher Gloria talks with a student, Jorge, on the first day of class in Mexico City.
- GloriaJorge, puedes sentarte aquí adelante.Jorge, you can sit here in front.
- JorgeGracias, maestra. Me siento aquí.Thanks, teacher. I will sit here.
- GloriaMuy bien. Ya vamos a empezar.Very good. We are about to start.
