Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the state of being seated and the action of sitting down. Use sentado to describe the state of being seated, but use the reflexive verb sentarse to describe the action of sitting down.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal and elaborate tone, particularly in formal writing, you can use the phrase Hallándose sentado/a. In a colloquial context, the phrase Estar aquí tirado/a can be used to convey the idea of sitting or lying down. Additionally, the expression Estar sentadito/a is often used in an affectionate or endearing way to refer to someone sitting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word must agree with the gender and number of the person or people being described. Use sentado for males, and change it to sentada if the person sitting is female. For groups, use sentados for a group of men or a mixed group of men and women and use sentadas if the group consists only of women. To express the state of being seated, use the verb estar followed by sentado.
How do you pronounce it?
/sentado/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to use sentar when talking about food digestion. Saying a meal sentó mal means it caused an upset stomach.
- In a formal or legal context, the term sentencia (sentence) shares the same root as sentar. It refers to the 'settling' or 'sitting' of a legal decision.
- In some regions, sentar is used to describe the act of establishing a precedent. The phrase sentar un precedente means to set a standard for the future.
Examples in context
- Mi suegro está sentado.My father-in-law is sitting.This sentence shows how to use sentado to describe a person's state.Tatoeba #4556684 by swyter, translation #4554785 by Choctaw_Irish
- Está sentado en la silla.He is sitting on the chair.This sentence uses sentado to describe someone sitting in a specific object.Tatoeba #1279716 by Shishir, translation #770126 by marloncori
- Tom todavía está sentado.Tom is still sitting.This sentence uses sentado to describe someone continuing to be in a seated state.Tatoeba #2498874 by Shishir, translation #2273521 by CK
- Estoy sentado en la sillaI am sitting on the chair.
- El hombre se hallaba sentado frente al escritorioThe man was sitting in front of the desk.
- Estoy sentado en el parqueI am sitting in the park.
- Estoy aquí tirado en el sofáI am just lounging on the couch.
- Mi abuelita me miraba mientras yo estaba sentadito en el sueloMy grandmother was watching me while I was sitting on the floor.
- Me gusta estar apalancada en mi sillónI like to be comfortably seated in my armchair.
- 142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a long art class.
- AlejandroEste sentado fue muy largo.This sitting was very long.
- SofíaSí, me dolía la espalda.Yes, my back was hurting.
- AlejandroEl artista trabajó mucho hoy.The artist worked a lot today.
- SofíaMañana será un sentado corto.Tomorrow will be a short sitting.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
