A simple storybook illustration showing a boy and a girl sitting side-by-side on a wooden log, both looking contemplative and focused. A stylized glowing yellow orb, representing an idea, hovers above the space between their heads.

pensaron

pen-SAH-rohn

Verb (Conjugated Form)A1regular (in this tense) ar

they thought?Completed action of thinking in the past,you thought?Referring to a group of people (ustedes) in the past

Also:they considered?To consider or reflect on something,they believed?To hold an opinion or belief

Quick Reference

infinitivepensar

gerundpensando

past Participlepensado

📝 In Action

Ellos pensaron que la película era muy aburrida.

They thought the movie was very boring.

¿Qué pensaron ustedes de la propuesta del jefe?

What did you (plural, formal) think of the boss's proposal?

Los niños pensaron en un plan para conseguir más dulces.

The children thought up a plan to get more candy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

creyeron (they believed)
reflexionaron (they reflected)

Common Collocations

pensaron en voz alta – they thought out loud
no pensaron dos veces – they didn't think twice

💡 Grammar Points

Preterite Tense (Completed Action)

This form, 'pensaron,' tells you that the action of thinking was completed at a specific moment in the past. It's a finished action, like 'They decided right then and there.'

Who is 'pensaron'?

'Pensaron' refers to 'ellos' (they, masculine or mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine group), or 'ustedes' (you, plural, formal). Always a group of people.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Past Tenses

Mistake: "Ayer ellos pensaban en el problema."

Correction: Ayer ellos pensaron en el problema. (Use 'pensaron' for a specific, completed action. Use 'pensaban' only for ongoing habits or descriptions in the past.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Stem Change Disappears

Even though the present tense is 'pienso' (e → ie change), the simple past (preterite) form 'pensaron' is perfectly regular, following the standard '-ar' verb pattern.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pensaron

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'pensaron'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pensar(to think) - verb

pensamiento(thought / idea) - noun

pensativo(thoughtful) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

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

'Pensaron' (Preterite) is used for a single, completed action in the past ('They thought about it once and decided'). 'Pensaban' (Imperfect) is used for ongoing, habitual, or descriptive actions in the past ('They used to think that way' or 'They were thinking while I spoke').

Is 'pensar' a regular verb?

It's tricky! 'Pensar' is regular in the simple past (Preterite, like 'pensaron'), but it has a stem change (e to ie) in the present tense (like 'pienso').