vs
QUICK ANSWER
"About" is a preposition which is often translated as "sobre", and "think of" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "pensar en". Learn more about the difference between "about" and "think of" below.
about(
uh
-
baut
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
1. (concerning)
a. sobre
The movie we saw last night was about World War I.La película que vimos anoche era sobre la Primera Guerra Mundial.
b. acerca de
That new series about petroleum is fascinating.Esa nueva serie acerca del petróleo es fascinante.
d. por
My husband hasn't been feeling well lately. I'm worried about him.Mi esposo no se encuentra bien últimamente. Estoy preocupada por él.
e. a propósito de
Me gustaría hablar contigo a propósito del nuevo proyecto.I'd like to have a chat with you about the new project.
a. en
There is something about his expression that intrigued me.Hay algo en su expresión que me intrigaba.
3. (literary) (around)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. alrededor de
The girl put her arm about her teddy bear.La niña puso el brazo alrededor de su oso de peluche.
4. (engaged in)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Since you're about it, will you make me some tea?Ya que estás en ello, ¿me preparas una taza de té?
While I'm about it, I'll ask our neighbor to watch the cat while we're away.De paso, le pediré a la vecina que nos cuide el gato mientras estamos fuera.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. aproximadamente
There are about 40 guests in the hotel.Hay aproximadamente 40 huéspedes en el hotel.
b. alrededor de
The trout Alexander caught weighed about 55 pounds.La trucha que pescó Alexander pesaba alrededor de 55 libras.
c. más o menos
It was about 10 am when the doctor called.Eran más o menos las 10 am cuando llamó el doctor.
d. unos (with masculine nouns)
There must have been about 50 guests at the reception.Habría unos 50 invitados en la recepción.
e. unas (with feminine nouns)
My neighbor has about 10 or 12 candles in the window which she lights in the evenings.Mi vecina tendrá unas 10 o 12 velas en la ventana que enciende por las noches.
a. por todas partes
There was candy all about after the Halloween party.Había dulces por todas partes después de la fiesta de Halloween.
b. de un lado a otro
The cat was running about like a madman all over the house.El gato corría de un lado a otro como un loco por toda la casa.
think of(
thihngk
uhv
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. pensar en
Our hosts at the inn were so welcoming and thought of everything.Nuestros anfitriones en la posada fueron tan amables y pensaron en todo.
b. tener en cuenta
Gene wasn't thinking of the possible consequences of his comment.Gene no tuvo en cuenta las posibles consecuencias de su comentario.
a. imaginarse
We should patent your idea. Think of all the money we could make!Deberíamos patentar tu idea. ¡Imagínate todo el dinero que podríamos ganar!
b. ocurrirse
Can you think of a restaurant in this area that serves good seafood?¿Se te ocurre un restaurante en esta área que sirva buenos mariscos?
a. acordarse de
What's the name of Danny's girlfriend? - I can't think of her name.¿Cómo se llama la novia de Danny? - No me acuerdo de su nombre.
b. recordar
That song made me think of the place where we first met.Esa canción me hizo recordar el lugar donde nos vimos por primera vez.
a. tener opinión de
My grandfather didn't think highly of people who didn't work hard.Mi abuelo tenía mala opinión de las personas que no trabajaban duro.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Marta, what do you think of your new boss?Marta, ¿qué te parece tu nueva jefa?
What do you guys think of this color?¿Qué les parece este color?
