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pensaban

pen-SAH-bahn/penˈsaβan/

“pensaban” means “they thought” in Spanish (expressing a past belief or opinion).

they thought, they were thinking

Also: they used to think, they were planning
VerbA2stem-changing in present, regular in this form ar
A group of friends sitting together with thoughtful expressions, looking upwards with small glowing light bulbs above their heads to symbolize shared ideas.
gerundpensando
past Participlepensado
infinitivepensar

📝 In Action

Ellos pensaban que la tienda estaba abierta.

A2

They thought the store was open.

¿Qué pensaban ustedes sobre el plan?

A2

What were you all thinking about the plan?

Mis tíos pensaban mudarse el próximo año.

B1

My aunt and uncle were planning to move next year.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • creían (they believed)
  • opinaban (they held the opinion)

Antonyms

  • ignoraban (they ignored/were unaware)
  • olvidaban (they forgot)

Common Collocations

  • pensaban que – they thought that...
  • pensaban en – they were thinking about...
  • pensaban hacer – they were planning to do...

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespensaran
yopensara
túpensaras
vosotrospensarais
nosotrospensáramos
él/ella/ustedpensara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespiensen
yopiense
túpienses
vosotrospenséis
nosotrospensemos
él/ella/ustedpiense

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedespensaron
yopensé
túpensaste
vosotrospensasteis
nosotrospensamos
él/ella/ustedpensó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespensaban
yopensaba
túpensabas
vosotrospensabais
nosotrospensábamos
él/ella/ustedpensaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespiensan
yopienso
túpiensas
vosotrospensáis
nosotrospensamos
él/ella/ustedpiensa
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pensaban" in Spanish:

they thought→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pensaban

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence means 'They were planning to travel'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pensar(to think) — Verb
pensamiento(thought) — Noun
pensativo(thoughtful/pensive) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'pensare,' which originally meant to weigh something. Over time, 'weighing' an idea in your head became 'thinking.'

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: pensaientItalian: pensavano

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'pensaban' only mean 'they thought'?

No, it also applies to 'ustedes' (you all). So it can mean 'You all thought' as well.

What is the difference between 'pensaban' and 'creían'?

They are very similar! 'Creían' focuses more on a strong belief or conviction, while 'pensaban' is more general about mental activity or planning.