Learn French: Il n'est pas normal de se sentir toujours triste.

Il n'est pas normal de se sentir toujours triste.

It is not normal to always feel sad.

Breakdown of Il n'est pas normal de se sentir toujours triste.

not (used before the verb)

pas

not (used after the verb)

Questions & Answers about Il n'est pas normal de se sentir toujours triste.

Why use Il n'est pas normal instead of Ce n'est pas normal?

Both mean "It is not normal". In this specific structure (impersonal expression + adjective + infinitive verb), Il est is the traditional, formal choice. In casual spoken French, you will very often hear C'est, but Il est is what you will usually see in writing and formal speech.

Why do we need the word de before se sentir?

In French, when you use an impersonal expression like Il est normal and follow it with an action (an infinitive verb), you must connect them with de. It acts similarly to the "to" in the English phrase "It is normal to feel".

Why is the verb se sentir reflexive here?

The base verb sentir usually means to smell or to physically sense something outside of yourself. When you are talking about experiencing an emotion or a physical state (like being sad or tired), you must use the reflexive form se sentir (literally, to feel oneself).

Where should adverbs like toujours go when used with an infinitive verb?

Usually, adverbs follow the conjugated verb. But here, se sentir is an infinitive (unconjugated). With infinitives, adverbs of time or frequency like toujours (always) typically go right after the verb itself, giving us se sentir toujours triste.