Learn Hardcore Italian: Mi sento confuso.

Mi is the first-person singular reflexive pronoun (“to myself”). It’s required by the reflexive verb sentirsi (“to feel oneself”), so the phrase literally means “I feel myself confused.”

What does sento mean and what verb does it come from?

Sento is the 1st person singular present indicative of sentire, which normally means “to hear” or “to sense.” In the reflexive form sentirsi, sento means “I feel.”

Why do we need mi before sento? Could we just say Sento confuso?

Without mi, sento would mean “I hear/sense,” not “I feel (emotion).” The reflexive pronoun mi is mandatory with sentirsi to convey “feeling a state or emotion.”

What does confuso mean, and why is it used here?

Confuso is an adjective meaning “confused” or “bewildered.” It describes the speaker’s mental state.

Why is confuso masculine, and how would a woman say it?