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How to Say "to think" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pensar

/pen-sar//penˈsaɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'pensar' when referring to the general mental activity of forming thoughts, contemplating, or considering something.
A person sitting quietly, chin resting on their hand, with a glowing light bulb floating above their head, symbolizing an idea or deep thought.

Examples

Necesito tiempo para pensar.

I need time to think.

Pienso, luego existo.

I think, therefore I am.

¿En qué piensas?

What are you thinking about?

The 'e' sometimes changes to 'ie'

Notice how in 'yo pienso', the 'e' from 'pensar' becomes 'ie'. This happens in some forms (like the present tense), but not all. For 'nosotros' (we), it stays as 'e': 'pensamos'.

Thinking 'about' someone or something

To say you are thinking about something or someone, you almost always use the little word 'en' after 'pensar'. For example: 'Pienso en mis vacaciones' (I'm thinking about my vacation).

creer

/kreh-EHR//kɾeˈeɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'creer' to express an opinion, belief, or what you think is true about something.
A person standing outside, looking up at the sky with a thoughtful expression. A small, clear thought bubble above their head contains a fluffy rain cloud and a single drop of rain, representing an opinion.

Examples

Creo que va a llover.

I think it's going to rain.

Ellos no creen la historia.

They don't believe the story.

¿Crees que es una buena idea?

Do you think it's a good idea?

Stating Beliefs vs. Expressing Doubt

When you state a belief with 'creo que...', use the normal verb form. Example: 'Creo que es verdad' (I think it's true). But when you express doubt with 'no creo que...', the next verb changes to a special form (the subjunctive). Example: 'No creo que sea verdad' (I don't think it's true). This is a key difference from English!

Mixing up 'creer' and 'pensar'

Mistake: “'Pienso que va a llover.'”

Correction: 'Creo que va a llover.' While both mean 'to think', 'creer' is much more common for expressing everyday opinions and beliefs. Use 'pensar' more for the active process of thinking or pondering.

parecer

/pah-reh-SEHR//paɾeˈseɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'parecer' (often with an indirect object pronoun like 'me') to express an opinion that something seems a certain way to you.
A thoughtful person sitting quietly, with a simple, glowing lightbulb hovering above their head, symbolizing an idea or thought.

Examples

Me parece buena idea.

I think it's a good idea (It seems like a good idea to me).

¿Qué te parece este vestido?

What do you think of this dress?

Nos parece justo.

It seems fair to us (We think it's fair).

The 'Gustar' Pattern

When using 'parecer' to give an opinion, it works just like 'gustar'. You use 'me', 'te', 'le', 'nos', or 'les' before the verb to show WHO has the opinion.

Agreement

The verb usually stays singular ('parece') because it is agreeing with the situation or the thing being discussed, not with you.

Saying 'Yo parezco'

Mistake: “Yo parezco que es bueno.”

Correction: Me parece que es bueno.

Opinion vs. Mental Activity

The most common mistake is using 'pensar' when you mean to express an opinion. Remember, 'creer' and 'parecer' are for opinions and beliefs, while 'pensar' is for the act of thinking itself.

Related Translations

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