déjame pensar
/dexame pensaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'let me think' is translated into Spanish as déjame pensar.
Déjame pensar is used to ask for a moment of time to consider an answer or a decision. It can also be used idiomatically to mean 'let me see' or 'let me check' when you are attempting to recall a specific piece of information.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on who is being included in the action. If you are speaking to someone in a formal context, use the polite form déjeme pensar. To say 'let us think' (including yourself and others), change the pronoun to 'nos' to get déjanos pensar.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you say déjame pensarlo regarding a request, it can sometimes be a polite way of saying 'no' without being direct.
- The verb pensar is a doublet of pesar, meaning 'to weigh'. In Latin, the act of thinking was conceptualized as weighing different options in the mind.
- While déjame pensar asks for time to consider, a common Spanish speaker might instead say a ver (literally 'to see') to perform the exact same function of stalling for time.
Examples in context
- Déjame pensar un poco.Let me think for a while.This sentence shows how to use déjame pensar with 'a while'.Tatoeba #1120324 by Shishir, translation #53401 by CK
- Déjame pensar un minuto.Let me think for a minute.This sentence shows how to use déjame pensar with 'a minute'.Tatoeba #2162968 by Shishir, translation #40010 by CK
- Déjame pensar al respecto.Let me think about it.This sentence shows how to use déjame pensar to say you will think about a specific topic.Tatoeba #1214357 by marcelostockle, translation #869514 by CK
- Déjame pensar en tu propuesta antes de darte una respuesta definitiva.Let me think about your proposal before giving you a definitive answer.
- Necesito un momento para reflexionar sobre tu pregunta tan importante.I need a moment to think about your important question.
- Déjame pensarlo un segundo antes de tomar una decisión.Let me think about it for a second before making a decision.
- Dame un momento para pensar en lo que acabas de decir.Give me a moment to think about what you just said.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing weekend plans.
- Elena¿Quieres ir a la montaña este sábado?Do you want to go to the mountains this Saturday?
- JavierDéjame pensar, tengo mucho trabajo.Let me think, I have a lot of work.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, dímelo luego.Don't worry, tell me later.
- JavierVale, te aviso esta noche.Okay, I will let you know tonight.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pensar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
