Inklingo

How to Say "you intended" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pensabas

pen-SAH-bahs/penˈsaβas/

verbB1general
Use this when referring to a past plan, goal, or expectation that someone had.
A person is sitting at a desk, carefully moving and arranging three distinct, brightly colored geometric blocks on the surface, depicting the action of planning or organizing a sequence.

Examples

Pensabas ir a la fiesta, ¿verdad?

You were planning to go to the party, weren't you?

Pensabas viajar a México este verano.

You were planning to travel to Mexico this summer.

¿Pensabas en mí cuando me llamaste?

Were you thinking/planning on me when you called me? (Used with 'en')

Planning with Infinitives

To express a past intention, 'pensabas' is often followed directly by an action word (infinitive): 'Pensabas correr' (You were planning to run).

Using 'Pensar' for Future

Mistake: “Using 'pensabas' when referring to a definite, near future plan: 'Pensabas ir mañana.'”

Correction: While okay, it's more common to use 'Ibas a ir' (You were going to go) for definite future plans that didn't happen.

quisiste

kee-SEE-steh/kiˈsiste/

verbA1general
Use this to describe a past refusal or a deliberate decision not to do something, implying will or desire.
A child standing on a small stool, stretching their arms eagerly towards a brightly colored toy airplane resting on a high shelf, symbolizing a past desire.

Examples

No quisiste escuchar mi consejo.

You didn't want to listen to my advice.

¿Por qué no viniste? Yo te llamé, pero no quisiste contestar.

Why didn't you come? I called you, but you didn't want (or refused) to answer.

Tú quisiste ir al cine, pero yo preferí quedarme en casa.

You wanted to go to the cinema, but I preferred to stay home.

Ella dijo que quisiste ayudar, pero llegaste tarde.

She said that you tried to help, but you arrived late.

The 'U' Change

The verb 'querer' is highly irregular in the simple past (preterite). It changes its stem from 'que-' to 'quis-'. This is a common pattern for many important irregular verbs.

Preterite vs. Imperfect

Use 'quisiste' (preterite) when the desire started, ended, or was refused at a specific point in the past. Use 'querías' (imperfect) if the desire was ongoing or a background feeling.

Using the wrong stem

Mistake: “Tú *queriste*.”

Correction: Tú quisiste. Remember the 'u' sound in the simple past form of this verb.

Plan vs. Will

Learners often confuse 'pensabas' (planning/expecting) with 'quisiste' (willing/refusing). Remember, 'pensabas' describes what someone thought would happen or planned, while 'quisiste' describes what they actively chose or refused to do.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.