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How to Say "thinking" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pensando

pen-SAHN-dohpenˈsan.do

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

Examples

Estoy pensando en qué cenar.

I am thinking about what to have for dinner.

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.

pensamiento

pen-sah-MYEN-tohpen.saˈmjen̪.to

NounA2General
Use 'pensamiento' when referring to the abstract concept of thought, an idea, or the mental process itself.
A simple illustration showing the silhouette of a human head with a glowing lightbulb floating above it, symbolizing the general process of thinking.

Examples

Tuvo un pensamiento brillante.

He had a brilliant thought.

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.

creyendo

kray-YEN-dohkɾeˈʝendo

VerbA2General
Use 'creyendo' when 'thinking' implies holding a belief, opinion, or assumption about something.
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'.

pensador

pen-sah-DORpensaˈðoɾ

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'pensador' to describe a person who is habitually reflective, contemplative, or prone to deep thought.
An illustration of a person walking slowly through a forest, looking at a leaf with a focused and reflective expression.

Examples

Es un hombre muy pensador y rara vez habla sin reflexionar.

He is a very thinking man and rarely speaks without reflecting.

El ser humano es un animal pensador.

The human being is a thinking animal.

Su mirada pensadora sugería que estaba tramando algo.

His thoughtful gaze suggested he was up to something.

Describing Qualities

When used as a describing word, 'pensador' usually matches the gender of the person. Even though this entry is for the masculine 'pensador', you'll see the ending change to 'a' for women.

Thinking vs. Believing

The most common confusion is between 'pensando' (the act of thinking) and 'creyendo' (holding a belief). Remember, 'pensando' refers to the mental process itself, while 'creyendo' is about having an opinion or conviction.

Related Translations

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