Pensar Conjugation: Express Thoughts in Spanish + QUIZ
[🔙 Return to the Main Hub: Expressing Thoughts, Opinions & Feelings in Spanish]
What is Pensar? The Verb for Thinking and Planning
Mastering the Spanish verb pensar is essential for expressing your thoughts, ideas, and intentions. This versatile verb is a cornerstone of daily conversation, used for everything from casual opinions to firm plans.
Key Takeaways:
- Primary Meaning: To think.
- Key Use: Expressing thoughts, opinions, and intentions (
pensar + infinitive). - Must-Know Conjugation:
Pienso que...(I think that…). - Grammar Tip: The stem changes from
etoiein most present tense forms (e.g., pienso, piensas). - Common Structure:
Pensar en(to think about),Pensar de(to have an opinion about),Pensar + inf.(to plan to).
Complete Pensar Conjugation: The Essential Tenses
Present Tense Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | pienso | Pienso, luego existo. (I think, therefore I am.) |
| Tú | piensas | ¿Qué piensas de la política? (What do you think about politics?) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | piensa | Ella piensa viajar a México. (She is thinking about traveling to Mexico.) |
| Nosotros | pensamos | Pensamos que es una buena idea. (We think it’s a good idea.) |
| Vosotros | pensáis | ¿Pensáis ir a la fiesta? (Are you thinking of going to the party?) |
| Ellos/Ustedes | piensan | Ellos piensan comprar una casa. (They are thinking about buying a house.) |
Past Tenses: Preterite vs. Imperfect
Preterite Tense Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | pensé | Pensé que me habías olvidado. (I thought you had forgotten me.) |
| Tú | pensaste | Pensaste demasiado en el problema. (You thought too much about the problem.) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | pensó | Él pensó en renunciar a su trabajo. (He thought about quitting his job.) |
| Nosotros | pensamos | Pensamos que sería más fácil. (We thought it would be easier.) |
| Vosotros | pensasteis | Pensasteis que era una broma. (You all thought it was a joke.) |
| Ellos/Ustedes | pensaron | Pensaron en todas las posibilidades. (They thought about all the possibilities.) |
Imperfect Tense Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | pensaba | De niño, pensaba que los monstruos eran reales. (As a child, I thought monsters were real.) |
| Tú | pensabas | Siempre pensabas en los demás. (You always thought about others.) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | pensaba | Ella pensaba que no eras sincero. (She thought you weren’t sincere.) |
| Nosotros | pensábamos | Pensábamos mudarnos a otra ciudad. (We were thinking about moving to another city.) |
| Vosotros | pensabais | Pensabais que era imposible. (You all thought it was impossible.) |
| Ellos/Ustedes | pensaban | Pensaban viajar el año pasado. (They were thinking about traveling last year.) |
Future Tense Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | pensaré | Pensaré en tu oferta. (I will think about your offer.) |
| Tú | pensarás | Pensarás diferente cuando seas mayor. (You will think differently when you’re older.) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | pensará | Ella pensará una solución. (She will think of a solution.) |
| Nosotros | pensaremos | Pensaremos en el futuro con optimismo. (We will think about the future with optimism.) |
| Vosotros | pensaréis | Pensaréis que exagero, pero es verdad. (You all will think I’m exaggerating, but it’s true.) |
| Ellos/Ustedes | pensarán | Pensarán que estamos locos. (They will think we are crazy.) |
Present Subjunctive Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | piense | Es raro que yo no piense en eso. (It’s strange that I don’t think about that.) |
| Tú | pienses | Quiero que pienses en las consecuencias. (I want you to think about the consequences.) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | piense | Dudo que él piense igual. (I doubt he thinks the same.) |
| Nosotros | pensemos | Sugiero que pensemos un plan. (I suggest we think of a plan.) |
| Vosotros | penséis | Espero que penséis bien la respuesta. (I hope you all think about the answer carefully.) |
| Ellos/Ustedes | piensen | No creo que piensen venir. (I don’t think they plan to come.) |
Imperative (Command) Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation (Affirmative) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | piensa | ¡Piensa antes de actuar! (Think before you act!) |
| Usted | piense | ¡Piense en lo que va a decir! (Think about what you are going to say!) |
| Nosotros | pensemos | ¡Pensemos en una solución juntos! (Let’s think of a solution together!) |
| Vosotros | pensad | ¡Pensad en vuestro futuro! (Think about your future!) |
| Ustedes | piensen | ¡Piensen en las alternativas! (Think about the alternatives!) |
Verbals: Gerund & Infinitive
| Form | Spanish | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | pensando | Estoy pensando en ti. (I am thinking about you.) |
| Infinitive | pensar | Voy a pensar mi respuesta. (I am going to think about my answer.) |
Imperative (Command) Conjugation
Affirmative Commands
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | piensa | ¡Piensa antes de actuar! (Think before you act!) |
| Usted | piense | ¡Piense bien su respuesta! (Think about your answer carefully!) |
| Nosotros | pensemos | ¡Pensemos en soluciones! (Let’s think about solutions!) |
| Vosotros | pensad | ¡Pensad en el futuro! (Think about the future!) |
| Ustedes | piensen | ¡Piensen en alternativas! (Think about alternatives!) |
Negative Commands
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | no pienses | ¡No pienses demasiado! (Don’t think too much!) |
| Usted | no piense | ¡No piense solo en problemas! (Don’t think only about problems!) |
| Nosotros | no pensemos | ¡No pensemos solo en nosotros! (Let’s not think only about ourselves!) |
| Vosotros | no penséis | ¡No penséis que es fácil! (Don’t think it’s easy!) |
| Ustedes | no piensen | ¡No piensen que es imposible! (Don’t think it’s impossible!) |
[SEE THE FULL PENSAR CONJUGATION IN ALL TENSES WITH OUR INTERACTIVE TOOL]
How to Use Pensar in Context
Expressing Thoughts and Opinions
- Pienso que deberíamos esperar. (I think we should wait.)
- ¿Qué piensas de la nueva ley? (What is your opinion on the new law?)
- Pensamos que ella es perfecta para el puesto. (We think she is perfect for the position.)
Stating Intentions and Plans
- Pienso viajar a España el próximo año. (I plan to travel to Spain next year.)
- ¿Piensas estudiar esta noche? (Do you plan to study tonight?)
- Ellos piensan casarse en junio. (They plan to get married in June.)
Common Phrases and Idioms with Pensar
- Pensar en (to think about)
- Pensar de (to have an opinion about)
- Pensar bien/mal de (to think well/badly of)
- Pensar + infinitivo (to plan to)
- Sin pensar (without thinking)
A Note on Culture & Common Mistakes
Cultural Insight: In Spanish, pensar de is used to ask for or give an opinion about something, which is a direct and common way to solicit viewpoints in conversation.
Watch Out! The most common mistake is forgetting the stem change (e -> ie) in the present tense.
- ✅ Correct:
Yo **pienso**,Tú **piensas** - ❌ Incorrect:
Yo *penso*,Tú *pensas*
TAKE THE PENSAR CONJUGATION QUIZ
Spanish Verb “Pensar” Conjugation Quiz
Level:
A (Basic)
B (Intermediate)
C (Advanced)
Verb “Pensar” Tip: “Pensar” means “to think” in Spanish and is a stem-changing verb (e-ie). It’s used to express thoughts, opinions, and intentions.
Study Tip: Remember that “pensar” undergoes a stem change from e to ie in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. For example: “pienso” (I think), “pensamos” (we think).
Need to review “pensar”? Check out our complete “Pensar” guide
Study Tip: Remember that “pensar” undergoes a stem change from e to ie in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. For example: “pienso” (I think), “pensamos” (we think).
Need to review “pensar”? Check out our complete “Pensar” guide
Score: 0/20
Question: 1/20
Continue Learning: Next, learn to state formal opinions with: [Opinar Conjugation: State Formal Opinions in Spanish]