pensabas
/pen-SAH-bahs/
you were thinking
This image shows the continuous mental action when someone 'was thinking'.
pensabas(verb)
you were thinking
?Past continuous action or state of mind (tú form)
,you used to think
?Past habitual action (tú form)
did you think
?When asking about ongoing thoughts in the past
📝 In Action
¿Qué pensabas cuando te vi ayer?
A2What were you thinking when I saw you yesterday?
De niño, pensabas que los perros podían volar.
B1As a child, you used to think that dogs could fly.
Yo pensaba que tú pensabas lo mismo.
B1I thought that you were thinking the same thing.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Tú' Form
'Pensabas' is the informal 'you' form (tú). It is used when speaking to friends, family, or people you know well.
Imperfect vs. Preterite
Use 'pensabas' (Imperfect) for thoughts that were ongoing or repeated, like a background activity. If you want to say you had one single, complete thought, you would use the Preterite: 'pensaste' (you thought once).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Imperfect Endings
Mistake: "Using 'pensaste' when describing a background state: 'Yo cocinaba mientras tú pensaste.'"
Correction: Use the Imperfect for the ongoing action: 'Yo cocinaba mientras tú pensabas.' (I was cooking while you were thinking.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Past Scenarios
The Imperfect form 'pensabas' is perfect for setting the scene in a story or describing what your mental state was like at a specific time in the past.
Before you changed your mind, you 'believed' this was true.
pensabas(verb)
you believed
?Referring to a past long-held opinion (tú form)
,you were of the opinion
?Describing a past conviction
you considered
?When evaluating options in the past
📝 In Action
Pensabas que el proyecto era imposible, ¿verdad?
B1You believed the project was impossible, right?
Antes de la reunión, ¿qué pensabas de su propuesta?
B2Before the meeting, what did you think (what was your opinion) of their proposal?
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Past Opinions
When describing a past belief, the Imperfect ('pensabas') is usually necessary because beliefs are continuous states, not sudden, completed actions.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Que'
When expressing a belief, 'pensabas' is almost always followed by 'que' (that): 'Pensabas que iba a llover' (You believed that it was going to rain).
This image illustrates the past intention when you 'were planning' an action.
pensabas(verb)
you were planning
?Referring to an intention or plan in the past (tú form)
,you intended
?Describing a past goal
📝 In Action
Pensabas viajar a México este verano.
B1You were planning to travel to Mexico this summer.
¿Pensabas en mí cuando me llamaste?
B2Were you thinking/planning on me when you called me? (Used with 'en')
💡 Grammar Points
Planning with Infinitives
To express a past intention, 'pensabas' is often followed directly by an action word (infinitive): 'Pensabas correr' (You were planning to run).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Pensar' for Future
Mistake: "Using 'pensabas' when referring to a definite, near future plan: 'Pensabas ir mañana.'"
Correction: While okay, it's more common to use 'Ibas a ir' (You were going to go) for definite future plans that didn't happen.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pensabas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'pensabas' to describe a repeated action in the past?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'pensabas' look so different from the present tense 'piensas'?
'Pensabas' is in the Imperfect tense, which is a very regular tense for -ar verbs and does not have the stem change (e->ie) that you see in the present tense ('piensas'). The Imperfect form is always 'pensaba, pensabas, pensaba,' etc.
When should I use 'pensabas en' versus just 'pensabas'?
Use 'pensabas en' (you were thinking *about*) when the thought is directed toward a specific person or topic: 'Pensabas en la tarea' (You were thinking about the homework). Use just 'pensabas' when describing the general state of your mind or belief: 'Pensabas que era tarde' (You believed it was late).