Pensar: to think
Pronunciation: pehn-SAHR (stress the capital letters)
Pensar means “to think” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to think
- How to say it: pehn-SAHR
- Present: yo pienso, tú piensas
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “pensar” means and how to use it
Pensar means “to think.” With “en” it means to think about something, and with an infinitive it means to plan to do something.
How to conjugate “pensar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | pienso | I |
| tú | piensas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | piensa | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | pensamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | piensan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo pensé, él pensó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | pensado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Pienso en mi familia.I think about my family.
- ¿Qué piensas de esta idea?What do you think about this idea?
- Pensamos viajar en diciembre.We plan to travel in December.
Usage tip
Pensar changes its stem: pienso, piensas, piensa. Use “pensar en” for what is on your mind and “pensar que” to give an opinion.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to think” in Spanish?
“to think” in Spanish is “pensar.” It is pronounced pehn-SAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “pensar”?
Say pehn-SAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “pensar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “pensé” and “él” is “pensó.” The past participle is “pensado.”
Practice “pensar” for free
Reading helps, but practice makes it stick. Try short exercises with instant feedback.