How to Say "To Sit" in Spanish

sentarse

/senˈtaɾse/

To sit in Spanish is sentarse.

Sentarse is a way to say "to sit" in Spanish.

What does it mean word for word?

The verb is composed of sentar (to seat/set) and the reflexive pronoun se (oneself), literally meaning "to seat oneself".

While sentarse is reflexive (to sit down), the non-reflexive sentar is used when you are seating someone else, such as a guest.

The preterite form of sentarse is se sentó.

/senˈtaɾse/

English speakers often mistakenly use sentar instead of sentarse when they mean the subject is performing the action of sitting down themselves.

The verb sentar is used in the phrase sentar cátedra, which means to speak with such authority that others must accept it as truth. It evokes the image of a professor sitting in a university chair.
The verb sentar is also used in the expression sentar bien, which means to 'suit' someone, such as a piece of clothing or a type of food.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you tell someone siéntese, you might sound like you are giving a formal command from a high position of authority.

Ella le obligó a sentarse.
She forced him to sit down.
This sentence is useful for seeing how to use sentarse in a sentence where someone is forced to sit.
Tatoeba #1330807 by Shishir, translation #887120 by CK
¿Le gustaría sentarse en otro lugar?
Do you want to sit somewhere else?
This sentence is useful for using sentarse to ask someone if they want to sit elsewhere.
Tatoeba #3562082 by ficion, translation #3223105 by CK
Tom quería sentarse por unos segundos.
Tom wanted to sit down for a few seconds.
This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to use sentarse for a short time.
Tatoeba #2410373 by marcelostockle, translation #1092495 by CK
Por favor, siéntese en la silla.
Please, have a seat on the chair.
Por favor, tome asiento en el sofá.
Please, take a seat on the couch.
Ven, siéntate a mi lado.
Come, sit next to me.
Me gusta sentarme en el jardín y disfrutar del sol.
I like to sit in the garden and enjoy the sun.
Siéntate a conversar conmigo un rato.
Sit down and talk with me for a while.
Ponte en la silla y descansa un poco.
Sit on the chair and relax for a bit.
No encuentro dónde ponerme, ¿me sugieres un lugar?
I can't find anywhere to sit, do you suggest a place?
16 more sentences on Tatoeba

Javier and María are waiting for a bus.

Javier

Hay un banco libre, vamos a sentarse.
There is a free bench, let's sit down.
María

Tienes razón, estoy muy cansada.
You're right, I am very tired.
Javier

Puedes sentarse aquí, María.
You can sit here, María.
María

Gracias, Javier.
Thank you, Javier.

Sources

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