'Think Big!': How would you translate that as an imperative?

Question

The closest I have seen so far is: 'pensar en grande'. What about 'Piensen en grande' or 'Piensa grande'? Anyway, what is the imperative of 'pensar'? Piensa or piense?

james

Answer 1

The tú imperative form of pensar is "piensa". The usted form is "piense". Therefore, both are correct. It just depends on who you are addressing.

If you want to say "Think Big" using an imperative: You could say "piensa en grande" if addressing someone in an informal way [someone younger than you, a friend]. You could also say "piense en grande" if addressing someone in a formal way [your boss or an older relative]

Think Big"...this book's title is "Think Big" and it is translated to "Pensar en Grande"...click here to see the book

If you wanted to use the "vosotros" form, you would say "pensad" - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 20, 2011

Right. - 00a4c226, Jun 20, 2011

Answer 2

I think you got the right phrase: pensar en grande.

Piensa en grande = Think big (you, singular, informal)

Piense en grande = Think big (you, singular, formal)

Piensen en grande = Think big (you, plural, formal--Spain only; formal/informal--outside of Spain)

Pensad en grande = Think big (you, plural, informal--Spain only)

Edit: Added the vosotros conjugation for completion.

Respuesta buena - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 20, 2011

Another non-vosotros user? - 0074b507, Jun 20, 2011

@qfreed: Well, yes. But I really left it off because the OP inlcuded only those three conjugations in the question. I will add the vosotros as well for completion. :-) - gintar77, Jun 20, 2011

Answer 3

Mmmm... I say "piensa en grande" if I am talking in an informal way (tuteando or saying tu) and I say "piense en grande" if I mean to say (usted) formal way.

Respuesta buena - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 20, 2011

Answer 4

As Sonrisa says the verb infinitive is often used for imperative mood, especially in lists of instructions, recipes, etc.

Respuesta buena - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 20, 2011