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How to Say "they thought" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “they thought” is “pensaban” — use 'pensaban' when 'they thought' refers to a belief, opinion, or ongoing mental state in the past that was not necessarily completed..

English → Spanish

pensaban

/pen-SAH-bahn//penˈsaβan/

verbA2general
Use 'pensaban' when 'they thought' refers to a belief, opinion, or ongoing mental state in the past that was not necessarily completed.
A group of friends sitting together with thoughtful expressions, looking upwards with small glowing light bulbs above their heads to symbolize shared ideas.

Examples

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.

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).

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.

pensaron

pen-SAH-rohn/penˈsaɾon/

verb (conjugated form)A1general
Use 'pensaron' when 'they thought' refers to a specific, completed action of thinking or reaching a conclusion in the past.
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.)

Ongoing vs. Completed Thought

Learners often confuse 'pensaban' and 'pensaron' by not distinguishing between ongoing past beliefs and single, completed acts of thinking. Remember, 'pensaban' describes a state, while 'pensaron' indicates a completed event.

Related Translations

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