A group of friends sitting together with thoughtful expressions, looking upwards with small glowing light bulbs above their heads to symbolize shared ideas.

pensaban

pen-SAH-bahn

verbA2stem-changing in present, regular in this form ar

they thought?expressing a past belief or opinion,they were thinking?describing an ongoing mental process in the past

Also:they used to think?a habitual belief held in the past,they were planning?expressing an intention to do something

Quick Reference

gerundpensando

past Participlepensado

infinitivepensar

📝 In Action

Ellos pensaban que la tienda estaba abierta.

They thought the store was open.

¿Qué pensaban ustedes sobre el plan?

What were you all thinking about the plan?

Mis tíos pensaban mudarse el próximo año.

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...

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Ongoing Past' Form

Use 'pensaban' when describing a state of mind or an opinion that lasted for a while in the past, rather than a sudden realization.

One word for 'They' and 'You all'

This word works for both 'they' (ellos/ellas) and the formal 'you all' (ustedes).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Pensaban vs. Pensaron

Mistake: "Using 'pensaron' for general opinions."

Correction: Use 'pensaban' for background info or opinions; use 'pensaron' for a specific moment they had a thought.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Plans

To say they 'were going to' or 'planned to' do something, just use 'pensaban' followed directly by another action, like 'pensaban ir' (they planned to go).

🔄 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 →

✏️ 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

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.