pensar
to think
📚 pensar is a stem-changing verb (e-ie). Learn more in our Stem-Changing Verbs Guide
Non-Conjugated Forms
pensar
to think
pensando
Present Participle
pensado
Used in perfect tenses
Indicative Mood
Used for statements of fact, certainty, and objective reality
| Person | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | pienso | pensé | pensaba | pensaré | pensaría |
| tú | piensas | pensaste | pensabas | pensarás | pensarías |
| él/ella/usted | piensa | pensó | pensaba | pensará | pensaría |
| nosotros | pensamos | pensamos | pensábamos | pensaremos | pensaríamos |
| vosotros | pensáis | pensasteis | pensabais | pensaréis | pensaríais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | piensan | pensaron | pensaban | pensarán | pensarían |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Perfect Tenses
Compound tenses using auxiliary verb "haber" + past participle
| Person | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | he pensado | había pensado | habré pensado | habría pensado |
| tú | has pensado | habías pensado | habrás pensado | habrías pensado |
| él/ella/usted | ha pensado | había pensado | habrá pensado | habría pensado |
| nosotros | hemos pensado | habíamos pensado | habremos pensado | habríamos pensado |
| vosotros | habéis pensado | habíais pensado | habréis pensado | habríais pensado |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | han pensado | habían pensado | habrán pensado | habrían pensado |
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Subjunctive Mood
Used for doubt, emotion, desire, possibility, and hypothetical situations
The imperfect subjunctive has two forms: -ra (more common in speech) and -se (more literary, common in Spain). Both are equally correct and interchangeable.
| Person | Literary / Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | piense | pensara | pensase |
| tú | pienses | pensaras | pensases |
| él/ella/usted | piense | pensara | pensase |
| nosotros | pensemos | pensáramos | pensásemos |
| vosotros | penséis | pensarais | pensaseis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | piensen | pensaran | pensasen |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Literary / Spain
Imperative Mood
Used for commands, requests, and instructions
| Person | |
|---|---|
| yo | - |
| tú | piensa |
| él/ella/usted | piense |
| nosotros | pensemos |
| vosotros | pensad |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | piensen |
| Quick Test |
🎯 Practice pensar
Test your knowledge of pensar conjugations across multiple tenses
Stem Change Pattern: e-ie
This verb follows the e-ie pattern. The stem change occurs in present indicative and present subjunctive, affecting the "boot" forms (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, ellos/ellas/ustedes). Some -ir verbs also have stem changes in preterite (él/ella and ellos/ellas forms).
Usage Tips
- Indicative: Use for facts, statements, and objective reality
- Subjunctive: Use after expressions of doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty
- Imperative: Use for direct commands and requests
- Perfect Tenses: Use to express actions completed relative to another time
Examples and Common Phrases
Examples
Common Phrases
🔀 How Prepositions Transform Pensar
A simple preposition completely changes what pensar means! Discover the crucial differences between pensar (to think/believe), pensar en (to think about), and pensar de (to have an opinion of).
Master Preposition Combinations →Verb Information
Category
Mental
Ending Type
-ar verb
Verb Type
Stem-changing verb
Importance Rank
#55 out of 100
Usage Tips
Remember the "Boot"
Stem-changing verbs change in a "boot" shape: yo, tú, él/ella, and ellos/ellas change, but nosotros and vosotros don't. Draw a boot around the changing forms to remember!
Practice Suggestion
Try creating your own sentences with this verb. Start with simple present tense sentences and gradually work up to more complex constructions.