Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to think" in Portuguese: pensar
pensar
Note: "to think that": achar
To think in Portuguese is pensar. Eu penso and Você pensa are everyday. Achar often means to think that in Brazil, but the headword here is pensar—use pensar for thinking and reflecting.
Opinion ask
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How to pronounce pensar
Say it
pen-SAHR / PEN-soo / PEN-sah
/pẽ.ˈsaʁ/
pen-SAHR. Eu penso is PEN-soo; você pensa is PEN-sah.
"to think" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| pensar | to think Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| eu penso | I think Present first person. | Present first person. |
| você pensa | you think Present with você. | Present with você. |
| pensar em | to think about Pensar em você. | Pensar em você. |
| sem pensar | without thinking Impulse. | Impulse. |
How to use pensar in real life
- 1Opinion ask
O que você pensa desse plano?
What do you think of this plan?
Pensa with você.
- 2Decision time
Eu penso melhor depois de dormir.
I think better after sleeping.
Penso first person.
- 3Daydream
Fico pensando na viagem o dia todo.
I keep thinking about the trip all day.
Pensando is the gerund.
Mistakes English speakers make with pensar
Incorrect: Eu achar que sim. (when practicing pensar)
Correct: Eu penso que sim.
Achar is common for opinions, but pensar is the verb for this entry.
Incorrect: Você pensar o quê?
Correct: Você pensa o quê?
Conjugate: você pensa.
Good to know
Brazilians often say Eu acho que… for opinions in casual speech. Pensar sounds a bit more reflective: Deixa eu pensar. Pensar em alguém can be romantic. Sem pensar admits an impulsive move.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a gift
ChatPal
O que você pensa de flores?
What do you think of flowers?
You
Eu penso que chocolate é melhor.
I think chocolate is better.
ChatPal
Faz sentido. Vou pensar mais um pouco.
Makes sense. I'll think a bit more.
You
Pensa com calma. Sem pressa.
Think calmly. No rush.
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 Portuguese
Pensar vs achar?
Both can mean think that; achar is more casual opinion, pensar also covers reflecting.
I think?
Eu penso.
Think about…?
Pensar em…
Let me think?
Deixa eu pensar.
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
