What do you think?
in Spanish¿Qué piensas?
/keh pee-EN-sahs/
This is the most direct and common way to ask 'What do you think?' to a friend, family member, or someone your age. It's the standard, go-to informal phrase.
Asking a friend '¿Qué piensas?' is a perfect way to get their opinion on everyday choices.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Qué te parece?
/keh teh pah-REH-seh/
Literally 'How does it seem to you?', this is an extremely common and slightly softer way to ask for an opinion or impression. It's less about a deep thought process and more about a general feeling.
¿Qué opinas?
/keh oh-PEE-nahs/
This means 'What is your opinion?' and is a bit more formal than '¿Qué piensas?'. It invites someone to state their viewpoint on a specific topic, like politics, a movie, or a work proposal.
¿Usted qué piensa?
/oos-TED keh pee-EN-sah/
This is the formal version of '¿Qué piensas?', using 'usted' (the formal 'you'). It's essential for showing respect.
¿Qué crees?
/keh KREH-ess/
Meaning 'What do you believe?', this is often used interchangeably with '¿Qué piensas?'. It can sometimes imply asking for a guess, a prediction, or a gut feeling.
¿Cómo lo ves?
/KOH-moh loh BESS/
Literally 'How do you see it?', this is a casual and very common way to ask for someone's perspective or assessment of a situation.
¿Tú qué dices?
/too keh DEE-sess/
Meaning 'What do you say?', this phrase is used to ask for someone's input, vote, or decision within a group.
¿Cuál es tu opinión?
/kwahl ess too oh-peen-YOHN/
A very direct and somewhat formal way to ask 'What is your opinion?'. It's more structured than just '¿Qué opinas?'.
¿Qué pensás?
/keh pen-SAHS/
This is the 'voseo' version of '¿Qué piensas?'. In regions like Argentina, 'vos' is used instead of 'tú', which changes the verb.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
The best phrase to use depends on formality and what kind of opinion you're asking for. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué piensas? | Informal | Asking friends or family for a direct thought or opinion on a specific topic. | Speaking to a boss, an elder, or in any formal situation. |
| ¿Qué te parece? | Neutral | Getting a general impression or reaction to something you're showing or suggesting. | You need a deep, analytical opinion on a complex subject. |
| ¿Qué opinas? | Neutral | Asking for a considered viewpoint in a discussion about a movie, book, or news event. | Just making a casual suggestion, where '¿qué te parece?' is lighter. |
| ¿Usted qué piensa? | Formal | Respectfully asking for the opinion of a superior, client, or elder. | Chatting with close friends, where it would sound stiff and distant. |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally easy. The main challenge is pronouncing 'que' as /keh/ (not /kway/) and the 'ie' in 'piensas' as a single, quick sound.
The basic structure is simple, but choosing the correct verb (pensar, parecer, opinar) and using the right formality (tú vs. usted) adds complexity.
High nuance. Selecting the right phrase for the context (e.g., soft vs. direct) and formality level is key to sounding natural and polite.
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing between '¿Qué piensas?' and '¿En qué piensas?'
- Knowing when to use 'piensas' vs. 'parece' vs. 'opinas'.
- Remembering to switch to 'usted' in formal contexts.
💡Examples in Action
Compré este vestido para la fiesta. ¿Qué piensas?
I bought this dress for the party. What do you think?
Señor Ramírez, sobre el nuevo proyecto, ¿usted qué opina?
Mr. Ramírez, regarding the new project, what is your opinion?
Podríamos ir a la playa este fin de semana. ¿Qué te parece?
We could go to the beach this weekend. What do you think? / How does that sound?
La situación es complicada. No sé qué hacer. ¿Tú cómo lo ves?
The situation is complicated. I don't know what to do. How do you see it?
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Tú' vs. 'Usted' Decision
Choosing between the informal 'tú' (piensas, opinas) and formal 'usted' (piensa, opina) is crucial. Using 'tú' with a boss or an elderly stranger can be seen as disrespectful, while using 'usted' with a close friend can create awkward distance. When in doubt, start with 'usted' and let the other person invite you to be more informal.
Softening the Question
While asking for opinions is very common, Spanish speakers often use softer phrasing. '¿Qué te parece?' is a great example, as it asks for an impression rather than a critical judgment. This can feel more polite and less confrontational than the very direct '¿Qué piensas?'.
Honesty and Group Harmony
Cultural norms around giving opinions vary. In some places, people are very direct. In others, maintaining social harmony is prioritized, so people might give a more nuanced or less direct negative opinion. Pay attention to tone and non-verbal cues when you get a response.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Asking 'What's on your mind?'
Mistake: "Using '¿Qué piensas?' to ask someone what they are thinking about at this moment."
Correction: ¿En qué piensas?
Forgetting the Formal 'Usted'
Mistake: "Asking your new boss, 'Oye, ¿qué piensas del reporte?'"
Correction: Disculpe, ¿usted qué piensa del reporte?
Confusing 'Pensar de' and 'Pensar en'
Mistake: "'Pienso de ti todo el día.' (Trying to say 'I think about you all day.')"
Correction: Pienso en ti todo el día.
💡Pro Tips
Specify the Topic with 'de' or 'sobre'
To make your question clear, add 'de' or 'sobre' (both mean 'about' or 'of' here) followed by the topic. For example, '¿Qué piensas de la película?' (What do you think of the movie?) or '¿Qué opinas sobre la situación política?' (What's your opinion on the political situation?).
Choose Your Verb Wisely
Your choice of verb changes the nuance. Use `pensar` for general thoughts, `creer` for beliefs or gut feelings, `opinar` for a stated opinion, and `parecer` for an overall impression. Matching the verb to the context will make you sound much more natural.
Use it to Suggest Plans
'¿Qué te parece si...?' is a fantastic way to propose an idea. For example, '¿Qué te parece si vamos por un café?' (How about we go for a coffee?). It's friendly, collaborative, and very common.
🗺️Regional Variations
Argentina & Uruguay
The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is the defining feature. This changes the verb conjugation for many common verbs. Using '¿Qué piensas?' would immediately mark you as a foreigner.
Spain
For asking a group of friends, they use the 'vosotros' form: '¿Qué pensáis?'. This form is not used in Latin America. '¿Cómo lo ves?' is extremely common in everyday slang.
Mexico
'¿Cómo ves?' (often without the 'lo') is a very popular and slightly informal way to ask for an opinion, similar to 'How about that?'. '¿Qué onda?' can sometimes be used to ask for a general vibe or opinion, but it's very informal slang.
Caribbean (e.g., Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic)
The word order is often '¿Qué tú...?' instead of '¿Tú qué...?'. This subject pronoun placement after the question word is a hallmark of Caribbean Spanish. 'Dime a ver' (literally 'tell me to see') is a common way to say 'Let me know what you think'.
📱Texting & Social Media
¿Qué piensas?
WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, casual messaging.
mira mi new look, q piensas??
check out my new look, what do you think??
¿Qué te parece?
Casual texting, especially for making plans.
vamos al cine hoy? q t parece?
let's go to the movies today? what do you think?
¿Qué opinas?
Online forums, social media comments.
acabo de ver la peli. uds k opinan?
I just saw the movie. what do you all think?
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask what they think and they give their opinion
Pues, creo que es una buena idea.
Well, I think it's a good idea.
¡Qué bueno! Estoy de acuerdo.
Great! I agree.
They express uncertainty
La verdad, no estoy seguro/a.
Honestly, I'm not sure.
Entiendo. ¿Hay algo en particular que te preocupa?
I understand. Is there anything in particular that worries you?
They give a negative opinion
No me convence mucho.
I'm not very convinced.
Ah, ok. ¿Por qué no? Me interesa tu perspectiva.
Oh, okay. Why not? I'm interested in your perspective.
🧠Memory Tricks
The sound similarity between 'piensas' and 'pensive' creates a strong mental link to the act of thinking.
This helps you remember that 'parece' is for asking about impressions and how something 'fits' someone's preference, not just a logical thought.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is how Spanish separates 'opinion of' from 'thinking about'. English uses 'think' for both, but Spanish uses different structures: 'pensar de/sobre' for an opinion and 'pensar en' for what's on your mind. Mastering this distinction is a major step toward sounding natural.
While '¿Qué piensas?' is quite direct, Spanish offers many softer alternatives like '¿Qué te parece?' or '¿Cómo lo ves?'. English often softens by saying 'I was just wondering what you thought...' Spanish achieves this by choosing a different verb or phrasing, making the choice of phrase more important.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: This English phrase asks about someone's current mental activity. The direct Spanish translation '¿Qué piensas?' asks for an opinion, not what's on their mind.
Use instead: To ask what's on someone's mind, you must say '¿En qué piensas?'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I think that...'
It's the natural way to answer the question you just learned to ask.
How to say 'I agree' and 'I disagree'
After someone gives their opinion, you'll need to know how to respond to it.
How to say 'What about you?'
This phrase ('¿Y tú?') is essential for turning the question back to the other person and keeping the conversation going.
How to say 'I don't know'
A crucial response to have when you're asked for your opinion and don't have one.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: What do you think?
Question 1 of 3
You are in a meeting with your new boss, Señora Lopez. You want to ask her opinion on your presentation. What is the most appropriate way to ask?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'piensas', 'crees', and 'opinas'?
Think of it like this: 'Piensas' is for general thoughts ('think'). 'Crees' is for beliefs or gut feelings ('believe'). 'Opinas' is for a more formal or stated viewpoint ('opine' or 'opinion'). In casual chat, 'piensas' and 'crees' are often interchangeable, while 'opinas' is slightly more serious.
How do I ask a group of people what they think?
In most of Latin America, you'd use the 'ustedes' form, which looks the same as the singular formal: '¿Qué piensan?' or '¿Qué opinan?'. In Spain, for a group of friends, you'd use the 'vosotros' form: '¿Qué pensáis?' or '¿Qué opináis?'.
Is it rude to ask '¿Qué piensas?' directly?
Not at all, especially with friends! It's a very normal question. However, if you want to be a bit softer or more polite, especially when suggesting something, '¿Qué te parece?' is a great alternative. It feels more like 'How does that sound?' and is less demanding.
I'm in Argentina and everyone says '¿Qué pensás?'. Why?
That's because Argentina, along with Uruguay and some other areas, uses 'vos' instead of 'tú' for the informal 'you'. This is called 'voseo', and it changes the verb ending. So, 'tú piensas' becomes 'vos pensás'. Using 'pensás' is the correct and natural way to speak informally there.
How do I answer when someone asks me '¿Qué piensas?'
The most common ways to start your answer are 'Pienso que...' (I think that...), 'Creo que...' (I believe that...), or 'Me parece que...' (It seems to me that...). For example, 'Creo que es una idea excelente' (I think it's an excellent idea).
Can I just say '¿Tu opinión?'
While people would understand you, it's not a complete sentence and can sound a bit abrupt, like saying 'Your opinion?' in English. It's much more natural to use a full phrase like '¿Cuál es tu opinión?' for a formal context or '¿Qué opinas?' for a more general one.
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