'je me sens de la joie' and 'je sens la joie'. Are they the same?

JoanA1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

'je me sens de la joie' and 'je sens la joie'. Are they the same?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Joan,

I will try to explain the different uses of sentir, se sentir et ressentir -

'Sentir' conveys a physical sensation usually attached to the senses of touch and smell.

Ça sent bon le pain There's a lovely smell of bread

Je sentais son corps contre le mien = I felt his body against mine

Il sent mauvais = He smells awful

and also in a figurative sense -

On commnence à sentir les effets de la crise économique = We are beginning to feel the effects of the financial crisis

But it is always something tangible.

'Se sentir' is used to convey how you 'feel' -

Je me sens malade , fatiguée , triste... I feel ill, tired, sad ...

Il se sentait mal à l'aise devant elle = He felt ill at ease in front of her

Vous vous sentez fatigué? = Do you feel tired?

Se sentir will be followed by an adjective or an adverb.

'Ressentir' will be followed by strong emotions in noun forms.

Ressentir de la haine ( hatred) , de la honte ( shame), de l'amour ( love)  de la joie ( joy) etc...

Hope this helps!

 

JoanA1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I missed out 'de' in the second sentence. It should be:

 'je me sens de la joie' and 'je sens de la joie'. Are they the same?

CécileKwiziq team member

Hi Joan,

'Je me sens de la joie' is incorrect but can you give me the context of the other sentence please as 'je ressens de la joie' is more appropriate...

JoanA1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you Cécile. 

The reason we use 'ressentir + de la joie' is that they are fixed collocation or that there is subtle difference between 'ressentir' and 'sentir'? (What is their difference?)

JoanA1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Merci beaucoup, Cécile. It is clear to me now. 

'je me sens de la joie' and 'je sens la joie'. Are they the same?

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