Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Italian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Mi sento confuso.
What is the function of Mi in 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?
Adjectives in Italian agree in gender and number with the subject. Confuso is masculine singular. A female speaker would say Mi sento confusa (feminine singular).
Can I use Sono confuso instead of Mi sento confuso, and what’s the difference?
Yes. Sono confuso literally means “I am confused.” Mi sento confuso (“I feel confused”) emphasizes your perception of that state. In everyday use, they’re often interchangeable.
How do I express that I became confused in the past, rather than currently feeling confused?
Use the passato prossimo of sentirsi: Mi sono confuso means “I got confused” or “I became confused” (implying a past change of state).
Can I say Mi sto sentendo confuso to mean “I am feeling confused” right now?
Yes. Mi sto sentendo confuso uses the present progressive (“I am feeling confused”) and highlights the ongoing nature of the feeling, though it’s a bit more formal or emphatic.
Is Mi sento confuso just a direct translation of “I feel confused” in English?
Essentially yes. Literally it’s “I feel myself confused,” but in natural English it simply becomes “I feel confused.”
What other emotions or states can I express using Mi sento?
You can pair mi sento with many adjectives, for example:
• Mi sento felice (I feel happy)
• Mi sento triste (I feel sad)
• Mi sento stanco (I feel tired)
• Mi sento nervoso (I feel nervous)
• Mi sento ansioso (I feel anxious)