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How to Say "they believed" in Spanish

English → Spanish

creían

verbA2general
Use 'creían' when referring to a group of people holding a conviction, opinion, or faith in the past, especially if it was a long-held belief.

Examples

Ellos creían que la Tierra era plana.

They believed that the Earth was flat.

pensaron

pen-SAH-rohn/penˈsaɾon/

verb (conjugated form)A1general
Use 'pensaron' when referring to what a group of people thought or concluded at a specific moment in the past, focusing on a particular opinion or idea.
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.

Examples

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.

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.

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.)

Belief vs. Specific Thought

The most common mistake is using 'pensaron' for deeply held convictions or general opinions. Remember that 'creían' is better for established beliefs or faith, while 'pensaron' is for a specific thought or conclusion reached at a point in time.

Related Translations

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