Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to think" in Italian: pensare
pensare
To think in Italian is pensare (pen-SAH-reh). Io penso, tu pensi, lui/lei pensa. Pensare a means to think about someone/something. Penso che… introduces an opinion (often with the subjunctive in careful speech).
Opinion
Penso che sia una buona idea.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pensare
Say it
pen-SAH-reh
/penˈsa.re/
Pensare stresses SAH: pen-SAH-reh. Penso is PEN-soh. Soft s.
"to think" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| pensare | to think Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| penso / pensi / pensa | I think / you think / he-she thinks Present. | Present. |
| pensare a… | to think about… Preposition a. | Preposition a. |
| che ne pensi? | what do you think? Asking an opinion. | Asking an opinion. |
How to use pensare in real life
- 1Opinion
Penso che sia una buona idea.
I think it's a good idea.
Penso che…
- 2Missing someone
Penso spesso a te quando viaggio.
I often think about you when I travel.
Pensare a.
- 3Decision pause
Fammi pensare un attimo.
Let me think for a moment.
Infinitive pensare.
Mistakes English speakers make with pensare
Incorrect: Penso di te ogni giorno.
Correct: Penso a te ogni giorno.
Use a: pensare a qualcuno.
Incorrect: Io pensare che sì.
Correct: Penso di sì / penso che sì.
Conjugate: io penso.
Good to know
Che ne pensi? invites a real opinion at dinner tables. Pensare a te is romantic text-message fuel. Overthinking gets sto a pensare troppo in casual speech.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a weekend plan
ChatPal
Che ne pensi di una gita al lago?
What do you think of a trip to the lake?
You
Penso che sia perfetto se non piove.
I think it's perfect if it doesn't rain.
ChatPal
Ok. Pensa anche al treno delle otto.
Ok. Think about the eight o'clock train too.
You
Ci penso stasera e ti dico.
I'll think about it tonight and tell you.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to think" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to think" in Italian
Think about someone?
Pensare a…
I think that…?
Penso che…
What do you think?
Che ne pensi?
Io form?
Penso.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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