Usage patterns センチメンタルな 気き 分ぶん になる to get into a sentimental mood
Looking at old photos, I got into a sentimental mood.
センチメンタルな 気き 持も ち a sentimental feeling
As graduation approaches, I feel sentimental.
センチメンタルになる to become sentimental
He always gets sentimental when he talks about the old days.
Related words 感傷的 is the native Japanese equivalent of センチメンタル , but センチメンタル feels more modern, casual, and often affectionate rather than critical.
ノスタルジック focuses specifically on wistful longing for the past, while センチメンタル covers any excessive or tender emotion, not just nostalgia.
Opposites 現実的 describes a practical, unsentimental way of thinking, the opposite of the overly emotional mood suggested by センチメンタル .
冷静 describes being calm and level-headed, contrasting with the excessive, tender emotionality of センチメンタル .
センチメンタル describes being easily moved to sentiment or tears, the opposite of the emotionally detached toughness of ハードボイルド .
Don't confuse with センチメンタル means 'sentimental' (emotionally wistful), which learners can confuse with センセーショナル ('sensational', causing public excitement) due to their similar katakana form and length.
センチメンタル means 'sentimental' (wistfully emotional), which learners can confuse with メンタル ('mental/psychological') because both share the same katakana ending.
Written forms センチメンタル Usage 100%
Standard katakana loanword spelling; the most common form.
センティメンタル
Alternate spelling reflecting a closer approximation of the English pronunciation; less common.
Etymology Loanword from English 'sentimental'.
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