Opinar v. Creer
The word of the day today was opinar, which was defined as "to think/to be of the opinion". What are the differences in usage between creer and opinar, or are they synonyms?
2 Answers
They can be. But there are slight differences in meaning. Just like there are in English.
Creer (besides to think about something) can also mean to believe.
Opinar means to have an opinion about something. And, in some instances, can be the same as creer.
The main difference I see between the two verbs is that you can think something about something without giving your opinion.
Examples:
El Presidente cree que los votos vendrán de las clases necesitadas (The President is merely stating a speculation on the votes)
El Presidente opina que los votos vendrán de las clases necesitadas (This is closer to being factual or backed up by some sort of facts)
I hope this makes sense.
There are times when the two are completely different, ie: "Creo en segundas oportunidades, también creo en los ángeles, creo en nuevos romances, cariño yo creo en ti" ("I believe in second chances, I believe in angeles too, I believe in new romences, baby I believe in you" from "No more cloudy days" Glen Frey).
To use "opinar" in something like this would be so incorrect that it would create huge laughter on the part of the listener.
