Pensar Conjugation: Pienso, Pensé, Piense and Every Tense (Chart)

Pensar means "to think." It's an e→ie stem-changing verb in the present: pienso, piensas, piensa, pensamos, pensáis, piensan. The preterite is regular (pensé, pensó), and the present subjunctive follows the same stem change as the present (piense).

Pensar Conjugation Chart

Indicative: present, preterite and imperfect

Future, conditional and present perfect

Subjunctive

Commands (imperative)

Gerund: pensando (estoy pensando) · Past participle: pensado (he pensado)

What Makes Pensar Irregular

Pensar is the classic example of an e→ie verb:

• e→ie when the stem is stressed: pienso, piensas, piensa, piensan, but pensamos, pensáis. This is sometimes called a "boot verb," because the changing forms make a boot shape in the chart.
• The subjunctive and tú command follow the same split: piense, pienses, pensemos; piensa.
• Everything else is regular: pensé, pensaba, pensaré, pensaría, pensando, pensado.

Many common verbs work the same way: cerrar (cierro), querer (quiero), despertar (despierto), perder (pierdo), entender (entiendo) and empezar (empiezo).

How to Use Pensar

Pensar changes meaning depending on the word that follows:

• Pensar en is to think about: Pienso en ti (I think about you).
• Pensar de asks for an opinion: ¿Qué piensas de la película? (What do you think of the movie?).
• Pensar + infinitive means "to plan to" or "to intend to": Pienso viajar en verano (I'm planning to travel in the summer).
• Pensar que gives an opinion: Pienso que tienes razón. In the negative it takes the subjunctive: No pienso que sea verdad.

Common Expressions With Pensar

Pensar in Example Sentences

• ¿En qué piensas? (What are you thinking about?)
• Pensé que no venías. (I thought you weren't coming.)
• De joven pensaba que lo sabía todo. (When I was young I thought I knew everything.)
• Pensaremos en una solución. (We'll think of a solution.)
• No pienso esperar más. (I'm not planning to wait any longer.)
• No creo que piensen lo mismo. (I don't think they think the same.)

Common Mistakes With Pensar

• "Penso" instead of pienso. The stressed e changes to ie.
• "Piensamos" instead of pensamos. Nosotros keeps the e.
• "Pensar sobre" for "think about." Spanish uses pensar en: pienso en el examen.
• Using the indicative after "no pienso que." Negated opinions take the subjunctive: no pienso que sea fácil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pensar a stem-changing verb?

Yes. Pensar changes e to ie in the present indicative, present subjunctive and tú command, except for nosotros and vosotros.

What is the preterite of pensar?

Pensé, pensaste, pensó, pensamos, pensasteis, pensaron. The preterite has no stem change.

What's the difference between pensar en and pensar de?

Pensar en means to think about someone or something. Pensar de asks for or gives an opinion: ¿Qué piensas de él?

What does pensar + infinitive mean?

It means to plan or intend to do something: Pienso estudiar medicina (I plan to study medicine).

Keep Practicing

The quiz below mixes pronouns and tenses from the chart above. For more practice, these guides pair well with pensar:

• Empezar Conjugation: Empiezo, Empecé, Empiece and Every Tense (Chart)
• Jugar Conjugation: Juego, Jugué, Juegue and Every Tense (Chart)
• A Practical Guide to Spanish Present Tense AR Verbs
• Spanish Subjunctive Made Simple: A Complete Guide