Resentir

Resentir is a Portuguese verb that generally conveys the act of feeling something, often with a sense of emotional re experienc e or indignation. In modern standard Portuguese, the preferred spelling is ressentir; resentir is a less common variant that appears in some dialects, regional texts, or older writings. The verb is closely connected to the noun ressentimento, meaning resentment or bitterness.

Etymology and spelling notes

Resentir is commonly traced to a French influence, aligning with ressentir in French, which means to feel intensely or to sense again. In Portuguese, ressentir has become the standard form in most contexts, while resentir is sometimes listed as an alternative or historical spelling. The noun ressentimento (resentment) shares the same semantic field.

Usage and nuances

Resentir is typically used when describing the experience of emotional reactions such as resentment, grievance, hurt, or offense. It can also convey re experiencing a sensation or effect, as in physical or psychological domains. Common constructions include ressentir uma dor (to feel pain again), ressentir uma ofensa (to take offense), or ressentir o peso de uma situação (to feel the weight of a situation).

Examples

Ela ressentiu a decepção ao ouvir as notícias. Os trabalhadores ressentiram o peso da nova legislação. Em contextos formais, a forma standard ressentir é preferred over resentir.

See also

ressentimento (noun), sentir (to feel), sentir-se (to feel oneself.

Note: While resentir can be encountered, prospective readers should be aware that ressentir is the prevailing spelling in contemporary Portuguese.