En que estaría pensando
2
votes
This appears to mean "what was I thinking / what was he / she / it thinking. But it doesn't seem to make sense if you think about "estaría". It looks like "What would I be thinking" but that makes no sense. I don't get it.
Gracias.
1711 views
updated Feb 5, 2011
posted by jeezzle
2 Answers
4
votes
I think that it would be more along the lines of
What could he have been thinking? or
What could have been going through his head (when he decided to pull that bone-headed maneuver)?
updated Feb 5, 2011
edited by Izanoni1
posted by Izanoni1
Yes, this is a very common expression when referring to oneself's forgetfulness: ¡¿cómo he podido olvidarlo?! ¿en qué estaría yo pensando?! - cogumela, Feb 5, 2011
Another totally different context would be: Estaba mirando al mar, con expresión ausente. Me pregunté en qué estaría pensando. - cogumela, Feb 5, 2011
1
vote
The equivalent in English would be What was I/She/He thinking? Don't let the use of the conditional in Spanish throw you off. There's no one-to-one translation here since this expression has become idiomatic due to his frequent use.
updated Feb 6, 2011
posted by gone
