Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Sit in Spanish: Sentarse, Sentar, and Tomar Asiento
Sentarse · verb (reflexive) · sen-TAR-seh
Sit in Spanish is sentarse (sen-TAR-seh), a reflexive verb used when the subject sits down themselves. Without the reflexive pronoun, sentar means to seat someone else — for example, a parent seating a child. In formal situations you will hear tomar asiento (literally 'take a seat'). Sentarse is an e→ie stem-changing verb, so the present tense forms shift: me siento, te sientas, se sienta.
Sentarse is sen-TAR-seh, three syllables, stress on TAR. In conjugated forms the stem changes: me siento (me SYEHN-toh). The reflexive pronoun attaches to the infinitive or precedes the conjugated verb.
Siéntate aquí, por favor.
Sit here, please.
Sit in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sit, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| sentarse | sit | sen-TAR-seh | Default, widely understood |
| tomar asiento | sit | More formal or polite register | |
| sentar | sit | Non-reflexive: to seat someone else |
How Native Speakers Use Sentarse
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Informal command
Siéntate en el sofá mientras preparo el café.
Sit on the sofa while I make coffee.
Siéntate is the tú imperative of sentarse. The reflexive pronoun te attaches to the end of affirmative commands.
Present tense, first person
Siempre me siento en la primera fila.
I always sit in the front row.
Me siento uses the e→ie stem change. The reflexive pronoun me comes before the conjugated verb.
Formal invitation
Por favor, tome asiento. El doctor lo atenderá en un momento.
Please, have a seat. The doctor will see you in a moment.
Tomar asiento is the polite way to ask someone to sit, common in offices and waiting rooms.
Seating someone else (non-reflexive)
La mamá sentó al bebé en la silla alta.
The mom sat the baby in the high chair.
Without the reflexive pronoun, sentar means to place or seat someone else.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Sentarse
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
Incorrect: Yo siento en la silla.
Correct: Yo me siento en la silla.
Without the reflexive pronoun me, siento means 'I feel' (from sentir) rather than 'I sit.' The reflexive pronoun is essential to distinguish sentarse (to sit) from sentir (to feel).
Wrong stem change in command
Incorrect: ¡Sentate aquí!
Correct: ¡Siéntate aquí!
Sentarse undergoes an e→ie stem change. The tú command is siéntate, not sentate. Note: in Rioplatense Spanish (Argentina, Uruguay) 'sentate' is standard for the vos command, but for tú the form is siéntate.
Lock in Sit Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Sentarse used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using sentarse in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Siéntate aquí, por favor. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Sit in Spanish
- How do you say sit in Spanish?
- Sit in Spanish is sentarse (sen-TAR-seh). It is a reflexive verb: me siento (I sit), te sientas (you sit), se sienta (he/she sits). For a polite request, use tomar asiento (take a seat).
- What is the difference between sentarse and sentar?
- Sentarse (reflexive) means to sit oneself down. Sentar (non-reflexive) means to seat someone else, such as a child or a guest. Example: Me siento (I sit down) vs. Siento al niño (I seat the child).
- How do you conjugate sentarse in the present tense?
- Sentarse is an e→ie stem-changer: me siento, te sientas, se sienta, nos sentamos, os sentáis, se sientan. Notice the stem stays intact in nosotros and vosotros.