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What is Opinar ? The Verb for Formal Opinions Mastering the Spanish verb opinar allows you to express formal opinions, judgments, and viewpoints. While similar to creer and pensar, opinar often carries a nuance of a more considered or formal judgment.
Key Takeaways:
Primary Meaning: To think, to be of the opinion, to judge.Key Use: Expressing considered or formal opinions.Must-Know Conjugation: Opino que... (I am of the opinion that…).Grammar Tip: It is a regular -ar verb, making its conjugation straightforward.Nuance: Often used in professional, academic, or formal discussions.
Complete Opinar Conjugation: The Essential Tenses Present Tense Conjugation Pronoun Conjugation Example Yo opino Opino que el proyecto es viable. (I am of the opinion that the project is viable.)Tú opinas ¿Tú qué opinas sobre el cambio climático? (What is your opinion on climate change?) Él/Ella/Usted opina El experto opina que la economía mejorará. (The expert is of the opinion that the economy will improve.) Nosotros opinamos Opinamos que se debe posponer la reunión. (We are of the opinion that the meeting should be postponed.)Vosotros opináis ¿Vosotros opináis lo mismo? (Do you all have the same opinion?) Ellos/Ustedes opinan Los jueces opinan que la actuación fue excelente. (The judges are of the opinion that the performance was excellent.)
Past Tenses: Preterite vs. Imperfect Preterite Tense Conjugation Pronoun Conjugation Example Yo opiné Opiné lo mismo que tú en ese momento. (I thought the same as you at that time.)Tú opinaste Opinaste sin conocer todos los datos. (You gave an opinion without knowing all the facts.)Él/Ella/Usted opinó La crítica opinó que la película era una obra maestra. (The critic judged that the film was a masterpiece.) Nosotros opinamos Opinamos diferente durante el debate. (We had a different opinion during the debate.)Vosotros opinasteis Opinasteis con mucha seguridad. (You all opined with great certainty.)Ellos/Ustedes opinaron Los analistas opinaron sobre las consecuencias. (The analysts gave their opinion on the consequences.)
Imperfect Tense Conjugation Pronoun Conjugation Example Yo opinaba Siempre opinaba lo contrario. (I always used to think the opposite.) Tú opinabas Cuando eras joven, opinabas diferente. (When you were young, you had a different opinion.) Él/Ella/Usted opinaba Mi abuelo opinaba que el trabajo duro era lo más importante. (My grandfather was of the opinion that hard work was the most important thing.) Nosotros opinábamos Opinábamos que era lo correcto. (We thought it was the right thing.)Vosotros opinabais Opinabais sin escuchar los argumentos. (You all used to opine without listening to the arguments.)Ellos/Ustedes opinaban Los socios opinaban que la inversión era riesgosa. (The partners were of the opinion that the investment was risky.)
Future Tense Conjugation Pronoun Conjugation Example Yo opinaré Opinaré cuando conozca todos los detalles. (I will give my opinion when I know all the details.)Tú opinarás Seguro que opinarás lo mismo que yo. (I’m sure you will have the same opinion as me.) Él/Ella/Usted opinará El tribunal opinará mañana. (The court will give its opinion tomorrow.) Nosotros opinaremos Opinaremos después de la presentación. (We will give our opinion after the presentation.)Vosotros opinaréis Opinaréis cuando seamos mayores. (You all will have an opinion when we are older.)Ellos/Ustedes opinarán Los miembros del jurado opinarán al final. (The jury members will give their opinion at the end.)
Present Subjunctive Conjugation Pronoun Conjugation Example Yo opine Es bueno que yo opine en la reunión. (It’s good that I give my opinion in the meeting.) Tú opines Quiero que opines con honestidad. (I want you to give your opinion honestly.) Él/Ella/Usted opine Espero que el director opine a favor. (I hope the director opines in favor.) Nosotros opinemos Es necesario que opinemos sobre el tema. (It is necessary that we give our opinion on the topic.) Vosotros opinéis Dudo que opinéis igual. (I doubt you all have the same opinion.) Ellos/Ustedes opinen Prefiero que opinen después del análisis. (I prefer that they give their opinion after the analysis.)
Imperative (Command) Conjugation Pronoun Conjugation (Affirmative) Example Tú opina ¡Opina tú también! (You give your opinion too!)Usted opine ¡Opine , doctor, su opinión es valiosa! (Give your opinion, doctor, your opinion is valuable!)Nosotros opinemos ¡Opinemos todos al respecto! (Let’s all give our opinion on the matter!)Vosotros opinad ¡Opinad sobre la propuesta! (Give your opinion on the proposal!)Ustedes opinen ¡Opinen cuando estén listos! (Give your opinion when you are ready!)
Verbals: Gerund & Infinitive Form Spanish Example Gerund opinando Están opinando sobre el nuevo reglamento. (They are giving their opinion on the new regulations.) Infinitive opinar Puedes opinar libremente aquí. (You can opine freely here.)
Imperative (Command) Conjugation Affirmative Commands Pronoun Conjugation Example Tú opina ¡Opina tú también! (You give your opinion too!)Usted opine ¡Opine , su opinión es valiosa! (Give your opinion, your opinion is valuable!)Nosotros opinemos ¡Opinemos todos! (Let’s all give our opinion!)Vosotros opinad ¡Opinad sobre la propuesta! (Give your opinion on the proposal!)Ustedes opinen ¡Opinen cuando estén listos! (Give your opinion when you’re ready!)
Negative Commands Pronoun Conjugation Example Tú no opines ¡No opines sin saber! (Don’t give opinions without knowing!)Usted no opine ¡No opine sin pensar! (Don’t give opinions without thinking!)Nosotros no opinemos ¡No opinemos sin información! (Let’s not give opinions without information!)Vosotros no opinéis ¡No opinéis sin escuchar! (Don’t give opinions without listening!)Ustedes no opinen ¡No opinen sin conocer los hechos! (Don’t give opinions without knowing the facts!)
SEE THE FULL OPINAR CONJUGATION IN ALL TENSES WITH OUR INTERACTIVE TOOL
How to Use Opinar in Context Stating Formal Opinions and Judgments
Opino que la ley debe ser reformada. (I am of the opinion that the law should be reformed.)¿Puede opinar sobre este asunto, señor García? (Can you give your opinion on this matter, Mr. Garcia?)
Los periodistas opinan que la situación es crítica. (The journalists are of the opinion that the situation is critical.)
Soliciting Considered Viewpoints
Me gustaría saber qué opinas . (I would like to know what you think.)
Todo el mundo puede opinar en este foro. (Everyone can give their opinion in this forum.)
Common Phrases and Idioms with Opinar
Opinar que (to be of the opinion that)Opinar sobre/acerca de (to give an opinion on/about)Opinar lo contrario (to think the opposite)Tener derecho a opinar (to have the right to an opinion)
A Note on Culture & Common Mistakes Cultural Insight: In professional or academic settings, using opinar can sound more formal and respectful than creer or pensar. It implies that your viewpoint is considered and well-thought-out.
Watch Out! While opinar is often interchangeable with creer and pensar, it is less commonly used for immediate, casual thoughts. Using it in everyday, informal contexts might sound slightly stiff.
✅ Natural for a quick thought: **Creo** que tengo hambre. (I think I’m hungry.)
❌ Unnatural for a quick thought: **Opino** que tengo hambre.
[TAKE THE OPINAR CONJUGATION QUIZ]
Continue Learning: Next, learn to express careful consideration with: [Considerar Conjugation: Express Consideration in Spanish]