ressentir and sentir

Paul F.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

ressentir and sentir

In the phrase "quand j'ai senti/ressenti une douleur", is there any difference or preference between the verbs sentir and ressentir? And later in the passage could she have said "je me ressentais un peu mieux" or do you always use se sentir in that case?
Asked 3 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Paul,

Just to add to Chris'  answer, no, you cannot say 

je me ressentais un peu mieux

je me sentais un  peu mieux 

which uses the verb se sentir ( to feel).

Ressentir is transitive so you will have an object as in 

Je ressens de la colère envers lui = I feel anger towards him

In the case of douleur you can use both ressentir and sentir for to have a pain or to feel a pain.

Hope this helps 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Sentir can mean the action of smelling and to feel in a concrete way, trough your senses, or your current emotional/physical status.

Tu sens la rose, tu sens bon, je me sens fatigué, je me sens heureux.

 

Ressentir is to feel but in an abstract way : a sentiment, an emotion, something that involves less your actual senses. It’s especially true for love : you would never say you would “sentir” love.

It usually is followed by a noun : je ressens de la fierté, je ressens du bonheur.
Paul F.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

ressentir and sentir

In the phrase "quand j'ai senti/ressenti une douleur", is there any difference or preference between the verbs sentir and ressentir? And later in the passage could she have said "je me ressentais un peu mieux" or do you always use se sentir in that case?

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