Sentient Meaning in English

word

US

ˈsɛn.ti.ənt

SEN-tee-uhnt

UK

sˈɛnʃənt

SEN-shuhnt

Definition

Able to feel, perceive, or experience things consciously. If something is sentient, it is aware of the world and can respond to it.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly formal, often in science fiction, philosophy, or discussions about animals and AI. Do not confuse with 'sapient' (wisely intelligent). Common combinations: 'sentient beings', 'sentient life'. Rare in daily conversation.

• Spanish: sintiente - consciente
• Portuguese (BR): senciente - consciente
• Portuguese (PT): senciente - consciente
• Chinese (Simplified): 有感知能力的 - 有知觉的
• Chinese (Traditional): 有感知能力的 - 有知覺的
• Hindi: सजग - संवेदनशील
• Arabic: واعي - حساس
• Bengali: সংবেদী - সচেতন
• Russian: чувствующий - обладающий сознанием
• Japanese: 感覚を持つ - 意識を持つ
• Vietnamese: cảm nhận được - có ý thức
• Korean: 지각 있는 - 의식 있는
• Turkish: duyarlı - bilinçli
• Urdu: صاحِبِ شعور - باشعور
• Indonesian: berkesadaran - sadar

Example Sentences

Humans are sentient beings.

basic

Some scientists wonder if animals are sentient.

basic

Robots are not sentient yet.

basic

Do you think your pet cat is truly sentient or just acting on instinct?

natural

Many debates about AI focus on whether it will ever become sentient.

natural

Philosophers still argue about what it really means to be sentient.

natural