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Easily moved by strong feelings, especially emotion or wistfulness. Often used in connection with memories, music, or films.
Alte Liebesbriefe zu lesen macht mich immer ganz sentimental.
Reading old love letters always makes me quite sentimental.
The adjective 'sentimental' belongs to the word family of 'das Sentiment' (sentiment), an elevated word for 'Gefühl' (feeling) or 'Empfindung' (sensation/emotion). This connection helps you understand the meaning.
Er ist ein Mensch von großem Sentiment.
He is a person of great sentiment.
Whether the word is meant neutrally or derogatorily depends on the context. Adverbs like 'zu' (too), 'etwas' (somewhat/a bit), or 'übertrieben' (overly/exaggerated) almost always signal a negative, critical meaning.
Ich finde dieses Lied ein bisschen zu sentimental.
I find this song a little too sentimental.
A very common use is the phrase 'sentimental werden' (to become sentimental). It describes the moment when a person is overcome by feelings such as emotion or wistfulness.
Immer wenn er das alte Fotoalbum ansieht, wird er sentimental.
Whenever he looks at the old photo album, he becomes sentimental.
In its negative meaning, 'sentimental' often describes artistic works such as films, books, or songs that are perceived as cheesy or overly emotional.
Das Ende des Buches war mir zu sentimental und unrealistisch.
The ending of the book was too sentimental and unrealistic for me.
emotional
'emotional' and 'sentimental' both describe strong feelings. 'emotional' is more general: it can be about joy, anger, fear, sadness, or being moved. 'sentimental' especially refers to feelings like being moved, wistfulness, or memories of the past. It can be neutral, but it sometimes also sounds slightly negative when something seems too emotional or cheesy. Learners confuse the words because both have to do with feelings. If you simply want to say that feelings are strong, 'emotional' usually fits. If it is about being moved, old memories, or something very wistfully emotional, 'sentimental' fits better.
Am Bahnhof wird er sentimental, weil ihn das alte Lied an seine Schulzeit erinnert.
At the train station, he becomes sentimental because the old song reminds him of his school days.
Frau Meier wird emotional, als sie von ihrer besten Freundin erzählt.
Ms. Meier becomes emotional when she talks about her best friend.