sich fühlen
to feel
To have a particular feeling, emotion, or physical state.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Spaziergang fühle ich mich richtig gut.
After the long walk, I feel really good.
fühlen
to feel
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Meanings
fühlen
to feel
To perceive something through the sense of touch, that is, with the skin or hands.
EXAMPLE
Fühl mal, wie weich der Pullover ist.
Feel how soft the sweater is.
fühlen
to feel / sense
To have a hunch or an intuitive sense of something without being able to justify it rationally.
EXAMPLE
Ich fühle, dass heute etwas Besonderes passieren wird.
I feel that something special is going to happen today.
sich fühlen wie/als
to feel like/as if
To see oneself in a particular role or situation; to have the feeling of being someone or something specific.
EXAMPLE
Nachdem er die Prüfung bestanden hatte, fühlte er sich wie der König der Welt.
After he passed the exam, he felt like the king of the world.
fühlen nach
to feel for
To search for something by touch with one's hands, usually because one cannot see it.
EXAMPLE
Im Dunkeln fühlte sie nach dem Lichtschalter an der Wand.
In the dark, she felt for the light switch on the wall.
Usage tips
Reflexive vs. non-reflexive
The reflexive form 'sich fühlen' (to feel) always describes an inner feeling or the person's own state of health. The non-reflexive form 'fühlen' (to feel) usually refers to something perceived externally with the hands or senses.
EXAMPLE
Ich fühle mich heute nicht so gut.
I don't feel so good today.
Typical adjectives
With 'sich fühlen' (to feel), adjectives are often used that describe physical or emotional well-being. Common examples are: 'sich gut, schlecht, müde, krank, glücklich oder einsam fühlen' (to feel good, bad, tired, sick, happy, or lonely).
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Reise fühlte er sich sehr müde.
After the long trip, he felt very tired.
Intuition vs. touch
When 'fühlen' (to feel) is combined with a 'dass' (that) clause, it expresses intuition or a hunch. When it has a noun as a direct object, it is usually about perception through the sense of touch.
EXAMPLE
Ich fühle, dass das eine gute Idee ist.
I feel that this is a good idea.
Comparison with 'wie' or 'als'
The construction 'sich fühlen wie' (to feel like) is used for comparisons with a noun. The construction 'sich fühlen, als ob/als' (to feel as if/as though) introduces a subordinate clause that describes a feeling.
EXAMPLE
An meinem Geburtstag habe ich mich wie eine Prinzessin gefühlt.
On my birthday, I felt like a princess.
Fixed preposition 'nach'
The combination 'fühlen nach' (to feel for) means to search by touch for something that you cannot see. The preposition 'nach' is fixed with the verb here.
EXAMPLE
Er fühlte im Dunkeln nach seiner Brille auf dem Nachttisch.
In the dark, he felt for his glasses on the nightstand.
Compare with
fühlen vs spüren
to feel / sense
For a physical stimulus, both fühlen and spüren can be used. Fühlen focuses more on the physical sensory experience, while spüren often emphasizes consciously noticing the stimulus. The difference is a nuance, not a fixed distinction.
fühlen
Ich fühle die Wärme der Tasse an meinen Händen.
I feel the warmth of the cup on my hands.
spüren
Plötzlich spüre ich die Wärme der Tasse an meinen Händen.
Suddenly, I feel the warmth of the cup on my hands.
In real life
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