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How to Say "thinking" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pensando

/pen-SAHN-doh//penˈsan.do/

Verb (Gerund)A1General
Use 'pensando' when describing an action that is currently happening in someone's mind, similar to the '-ing' form in English.
A simple drawing of a person sitting quietly with a glowing lightbulb floating above their head, symbolizing active thought.

Examples

Estoy pensando en ti.

I am thinking of you.

¿En qué estás pensando?

What are you thinking about?

Llevo todo el día pensando en una solución.

I've been thinking about a solution all day.

The Spanish '-ing' Form

Pensando is the Spanish version of 'thinking'. It's a special verb form called a gerundio. You almost always pair it with a helper verb like estar (to be) to show that an action is in progress right now.

Using it like an English '-ing' Noun

Mistake: “Me gusta pensando.”

Correction: Me gusta pensar. In Spanish, when you talk about an activity you like (e.g., 'I like swimming'), you always use the verb's original `-ar`, `-er`, or `-ir` form, not the `-ando`/`-iendo` form.

creyendo

/kray-YEN-doh//kɾeˈʝendo/

VerbA2General
Choose 'creyendo' when you mean 'believing' or 'holding an opinion,' indicating a state of conviction rather than an active thought process.
A child in a garden looking hopefully at a tiny green sprout growing from the soil.

Examples

Sigo creyendo que es posible.

I keep believing that it is possible.

Se pasó el día creyendo que era viernes.

He spent the whole day thinking it was Friday.

Creyendo en ti mismo, llegarás lejos.

By believing in yourself, you will go far.

The Spelling Shift

In Spanish, if an 'i' is caught between two vowels in a verb ending, it turns into a 'y'. That is why we say 'creyendo' instead of 'creiendo'.

Ongoing Actions

You use this word with 'estar' (to be) to show that you are in the middle of believing or thinking something right now.

Avoid the double 'i'

Mistake: “creiendo”

Correction: creyendo; the 'y' is necessary to keep the sound flowing between the 'e' and the 'e'.

pensamiento

pen-sah-MYEN-toh/pen.saˈmjen̪.to/

NounA2General
Use 'pensamiento' when referring to the concept or activity of thinking as a noun, the process or product of the mind.
A simple illustration showing the silhouette of a human head with a glowing lightbulb floating above it, symbolizing the general process of thinking.

Examples

El pensamiento humano es muy complejo.

Human thought is very complex.

La meditación ayuda a calmar el pensamiento.

Meditation helps calm the thinking process.

Always Masculine

Since 'pensamiento' ends in '-o' and refers to an abstract concept, it is always masculine. You must use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Thinking vs. Believing

Learners often confuse 'pensando' (an active, ongoing mental process) with 'creyendo' (holding a belief or opinion). Remember that 'pensando' is about the act of thinking, while 'creyendo' is about what you believe to be true.

Related Translations

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