pensamiento crítico
/pensamjento kɾitiko/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "critical thinking" is translated into Spanish as pensamiento crítico. Wiktionary also lists razonamiento crítico and raciocinación crítica.
Meaning: application of logical principles (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pensamiento crítico | /pensamjento kɾitiko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| razonamiento crítico | /raθonamjento kɾitiko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /rasonamjento kɾitiko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| raciocinación crítica | /raθjoθinaθjon kɾitika/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /rasjosinasjon kɾitika/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The term refers to the application of logical principles.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective crítico must agree in gender with the noun it modifies.
Which one should you use?
While pensamiento crítico refers more to the cognitive faculty or the concept of critical thinking, razonamiento crítico emphasizes the process of logical reasoning. The form raciocinación crítica is also available to describe this concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is pensamiento crítico or razonamiento crítico, while the feminine form is raciocinación crítica. The plural form of 'pensamiento crítico' is pensamientos críticos.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word razonamiento shares an ancient Proto-Indo-European root with the English word 'arm', linked by the historical concept of 'joining' or 'fitting' things together.
- While pensamiento crítico is the standard term, the word crítica on its own can mean both 'criticism' and 'a critical state' in a medical emergency.
- Spanish speakers may use the phrase tener criterio to describe someone who possesses the ability for pensamiento crítico.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué es el pensamiento crítico?What is critical thinking?This sentence is useful for asking for a definition of the term pensamiento crítico.Tatoeba #6362213 by Adelpa, translation #3571935 by Hybrid
- El pensamiento crítico es esencial en la ciencia.Critical thinking is essential in science.
- Debemos fomentar el pensamiento crítico en los alumnos.We must encourage critical thinking in students.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their philosophy assignment.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿terminaste el ensayo sobre el pensamiento crítico?Sofía, did you finish the essay on critical thinking?
- SofíaSí, Alejandro, pero fue muy difícil de escribir.Yes, Alejandro, but it was very difficult to write.
- AlejandroEstoy de acuerdo, requiere analizar todo con cuidado.I agree, it requires analyzing everything carefully.
- SofíaExacto, esa es la base de nuestra clase.Exactly, that is the basis of our class.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “critical thinking” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crítico, pensamiento, razonamiento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
