If you’d like to say “think” in Spanish, the best place to start is to use a conjugation of the verb pensar. It will likely work well in most circumstances. In this guide, you’ll learn which prepositions to use with pensar and how it can also sometimes mean “planning on,” indicating intention.
After you get the hang of using pensar, you can slowly incorporate other verbs with more nuanced meanings for “think.” For example, using imaginar (to imagine/to think) or creer (to believe/to think) may be a better choice in some cases. Just as in English, other verbs may be more contextually relevant to what you’re trying to express.
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How to use pensar (to think) in Spanish
Conjugating the verb pensar in Spanish is important so that the listener will know who is thinking. Not only does the ending change to match the subject, just like other regular -AR verbs in Spanish, but the “e” will also change to “ie” in all forms except the nosotros and vosotrosforms, making it an irregular verb. Pay attention to how the endings change when you encounter pensar in a Spanish sentence.
- ¿Qué piensas? = What do you think?
- Pienso que será fácil. = I think it will be easy.
- Mi perro siempre piensa en la comida. = My dog always thinks about food.
- Pensamos que el chocolate es mejor. = We think chocolate is better.
- ¿Y vosotros? ¿Qué pensáis?” = And you (all)? What do you think?
- Mis sobrinas piensan que soy talentosa. = My nieces think that I’m talented.
Conjugation of pensar
Use this pensar conjugation chart to ensure you are using the form of pensar that matches your subject.
pensar – to think
| Spanish Present Tense | English Meaning |
| yo pienso | I think |
| tú piensas | you think (informal singular) |
| él/ella piensa | he/she thinks |
| usted piensa | you think (formal singular) |
| nosotros pensamos | we think |
| vosotros pensáis | you think (informal plural, Spain) |
| ellos/ellas piensan | they think |
| ustedes piensan | you think (plural) |
The difference between pensar en vs. pensar de
Now that you know how to say “think” in Spanish, there’s a subtle difference you may notice with the prepositions that follow. English speakers might use the prepositions “about” or “of” after the verb “to think,” but there isn’t always a one-to-one translation when saying “think” in Spanish with prepositions.
Pensar en
Pensar en answers the question “What are you thinking about?” If you want to know what specific thoughts are in someone’s mind, use the preposition en.
- ¿En qué piensas? = What are you thinking about?
- Yo pienso en mi esposa. = I’m thinking about my wife.
- Él piensa en sus abuelos. = He’s thinking about his grandparents.
Pensar de
Pensar de asks the question “What is your opinion of (something)?” To answer this question, you can use an expression of opinion like pienso que (I think that).
- ¿Qué piensas de la nueva canción? = What do you think of the new song?
- Pienso que es triste. = I think it’s sad.
- No sé qué pienso de estos zapatos. = I don’t know what I think of these shoes.
- Pienso que te van bien. = I think they look good on you.
Intentions: when pensar means ‘planning on’
If you follow pensar with an infinitive verb, it translates roughly to “plan on” or have the intention of doing something.
- Pensamos viajar a Italia a finales de mayo. = We’re planning to travel to Italy at the end of May.
This verb is also a useful way to state that you have no intention of doing something.
- No pienso hablar con él nunca más. = I don’t intend to speak to him ever again.
How to use pensar and other expressions to introduce an opinion
When you’re talking about opinions rather than facts, it’s often more polite to soften your speech with an expression of opinion. This way it comes across less abrupt and indicates that it’s a personal opinion.
For other ways to opine, the verbs opinar (to have an opinion/to believe) and creer (to believe) are helpful substitutes for pensar if you want to mix it up a bit with various ways to say “I think” in Spanish.
| Spanish Expression | English Meaning |
| Creo que… | I think/I believe that… |
| Desde mi punto de vista… | From my point of view… |
| En mi opinión… | In my opinion… |
| Imagino que… | I suppose that… |
| Opino que… | I think that… |
| Para mí… | In my opinion… |
| Pienso que… | I think that… |
If you’ve mastered phrases like these and wish to take your Spanish to a more advanced level, study how saying these phrases in negative constructions can sometimes trigger the Spanish subjunctive.
Speak Spanish correctly without overthinking
Learning the conjugation of pensar and a few related words can be a great start, but it’s only the beginning. When you’re in an exciting conversation with a new Spanish-speaking friend, you don’t want to stop and worry about the difference between pensar en vs. pensar de or long lists of irregular verbs in Spanish.
Instead of memorizing lists of grammar rules, use them as a starting place for noticing the patterns in Spanish stories, dialogues, and authentic situations. When you combine studying Spanish with methods like Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion, you’ll tap into what your brain already does naturally, and begin to think in Spanish.
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