Inklingo

How to Say "to plan" in Spanish

English → Spanish

planear

/plah-neh-AHR//pla.neˈar/

verbA2General
Use 'planear' when you are organizing an event or making arrangements for a future activity.
A person looking at a large colorful map spread out on a table with small wooden markers.

Examples

Estamos planeando una fiesta sorpresa para Julia.

We are planning a surprise party for Julia.

Necesito planear mi semana con antelación.

I need to plan my week in advance.

Using 'Planear' with Other Verbs

When you want to say you are planning 'to do' something, just put the next verb in its base form (the infinitive). For example: 'Planeo viajar' (I plan to travel).

Don't add 'a'

Mistake: “Planeo a ir al cine.”

Correction: Planeo ir al cine. Unlike some other Spanish verbs, planear doesn't need a connector like 'a' before the next action.

organizar

or-gah-nee-SAR/or.ɣa.niˈsaɾ/

verbA1General
Use 'organizar' specifically when you are arranging the details of an event or a physical space.
A colorful illustration of a child smiling while neatly placing building blocks into a designated storage box on a clean shelf in a brightly lit room.

Examples

Necesito organizar mi escritorio antes de empezar a trabajar.

I need to organize my desk before starting to work.

Ellos organizaron una fiesta sorpresa para su cumpleaños.

They organized a surprise party for his birthday.

Si organizamos bien la semana, tendremos tiempo libre el sábado.

If we organize the week well, we will have free time on Saturday.

Spelling Change in the Preterite

The 'yo' form of the past tense (preterite) changes the 'z' to a 'c' (organicé). This is just to keep the 's' sound consistent when the ending starts with an 'e'.

The 'z' in the Subjunctive

Mistake: “Quiero que yo organizo la reunión.”

Correction: Quiero que yo organice la reunión. (The 'z' changes to 'c' in the special form used for wishes—the subjunctive.)

pensar

/pen-sar//penˈsaɾ/

verbB1General
Use 'pensar' when you are expressing an intention or an idea about doing something in the future, similar to 'to think of' or 'to intend to'.
A child sitting at a desk, focused intently on a large map showing a clear, drawn path leading directly to a mountain peak, symbolizing a plan.

Examples

Pienso viajar a México el próximo verano.

I plan to travel to Mexico next summer.

¿Piensas ir a la fiesta esta noche?

Are you planning to go to the party tonight?

Pensábamos salir, pero empezó a llover.

We were planning to go out, but it started to rain.

Structure for Plans: 'pensar' + action verb

To talk about your plans, just put the base form of the action verb (like 'viajar', 'comer', 'ir') right after 'pensar'. It's that simple! Example: 'Pienso estudiar más' (I plan to study more).

Adding an extra word

Mistake: “Pienso a viajar. or Pienso de viajar.”

Correction: No extra word is needed between 'pensar' and the next verb. Just say: 'Pienso viajar.'

Planear vs. Pensar

Learners often confuse 'planear' and 'pensar' when expressing future actions. Remember that 'planear' implies a more concrete arrangement or organization of an event or activity, while 'pensar' is more about a general intention or thought about the future.

Related Translations

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