pensar

Senses

1. 1.

   to think

   to use one's mind to consider or form ideas

2. 2.

   to think of / to think about

   to direct one's thoughts toward someone or something; to remember or recall

3. 3.

   to intend / to plan

   to have the purpose or intention to do something

4. 4.

   to imagine / to suppose

   to form a mental image or believe something might be true

Examples

• "Estou pensando em mudar de carreira."

  I'm thinking about changing careers.

• "Ele pensa que chegará cedo, mas duvido."

  He thinks he'll arrive early, but I doubt it.

• "Não consigo parar de pensar nela."

  I can't stop thinking about her.

Usage

Pensar is one of the most common verbs in Brazilian Portuguese. When followed by "em," it means "to think of/about"; when followed by "que," it means "to think that." It can also pair with infinitives (e.g., "pensar em ir") to express intention. Avoid confusing it with "lembrar" (to remember) in formal contexts, though in some informal speech they overlap.