pensar
/penˈsaɾ/
To think in Spanish is pensar.
The verb pensar means to use your mind to consider something or to form an opinion. If you want to state what you are currently considering, you can use the phrase estoy pensando en. To ask someone for their opinion on a matter, you might say ¡Dime qué piensas! The related noun is pensamiento, which means thought.
Which one should you use?
While pensar can be used to mean 'to think' in a general sense, you must use the specific construction pensar en when you want to express the English sense of 'to think about' a person, object or topic.
How does it change in a sentence?
Pensar is an irregular stem-changing verb where the 'e' changes to 'ie'. For example, the first-person singular present indicative form is pienso (I think). As noted previously, when expressing that you are thinking about something, you must use the preposition en after the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/penˈsaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb pensar is a doublet of pesar, meaning 'to weigh', because both originate from the Latin concept of weighing a matter in one's mind.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase pensar mal to describe the act of assuming the worst possible motive behind someone's actions.
- If you say you are 'pensando en' a person, you are not just considering them, but often implying you are dreaming of or longing for them.
Examples in context
- No sabía qué pensar.I didn't know what to think.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about what to think using pensar.Tatoeba #2314216 by marcelostockle, translation #2290374 by CK
- Nadie va a pensar eso.Nobody is going to think that.This sentence shows how to use pensar to describe what someone is going to think.Tatoeba #10219005 by Seael, translation #10218995 by megamanenm
- Nunca se para a pensar.He never stops to think.This sentence demonstrates the use of pensar when someone stops to think.Tatoeba #1119982 by Shishir, translation #293209 by CK
- Creo que debemos pensar en una solución más efectiva.I think we should consider a more effective solution.
- Necesito reflexionar sobre lo que me has dicho.I need to reflect on what you've told me.
- Creo que deberíamos ir al cine esta tarde.I think we should go to the movies this afternoon.
- ¿Qué opinas sobre la nueva película?What do you think about the new movie?
- Me parece que el concierto estuvo genial.I think the concert was great, from my perspective.
- Estoy pensando en qué regalo comprarle a mi madre.I am thinking about what gift to buy my mother.
- ¿Qué piensas sobre el cambio climático?What do you think about climate change?
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a new job offer.
- Lucía¿Quieres pensar en la oferta de trabajo?Do you want to think about the job offer?
- MateoSí, debo pensar si es buena para mí.Yes, I must think if it is good for me.
- LucíaTe entiendo, es una decisión importante.I understand you, it is an important decision.
- MateoGracias por pensar en mi situación, Lucía.Thank you for thinking about my situation, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pensar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
