vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Pensar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to think", and "querer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to want". Learn more about the difference between "pensar" and "querer" below.
pensar(
pehn
-
sahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to think
No lo pienses más. ¡Actúa!Don't think too much. Just do it!
a. to think
Pienso que ya debería estar en casa.I think he should be home by now.
a. to plan
Estaba pensando estudiar mañana.I was planning to study tomorrow.
b. to mean
Pensé escribirte ayer, pero luego Vanna vino a la casa y se me olvidó.I meant to write you yesterday, but then Vanna came over and I forgot.
c. to intend
Nunca pensé herirte, Felipe. Lo siento.I never intended to hurt you, Felipe. I'm sorry.
pensarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to think of oneself as
Ella se piensa la hija preferida de la familia.She thinks of herself as the family's favorite child.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to think
¿Vas a aceptar la oferta? - No sé; tendré que pensármelo.Are you going to accept the offer? - I don't know; I'll have to think about it.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Le dije que sí sin pensármelo dos veces.I agreed without giving it a second thought.
Tendrás que pensártelo, ¿no? No tienes porque decidirte ya.You'll have to think it over, won't you? You don't have to decide yet.
a. to think
Jaime se piensa que lo sabe todo.Jaime thinks he knows it all.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
querer(
keh
-
rehr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to want
Quiero comer chocolate.I want to eat chocolate.
a. to love
Ella todavía te quiere profundamente.She still loves you deeply.
b. to like
El perro te quiere mucho.The dog likes you a lot.
c. to be fond of
Quiero mucho a mis estudiantes.I am very fond of my students.
a. to mean
No sé si quisiste ofenderme, pero lo lograste.I don't know if you meant to offend me, but you did.
b. to try
Hace años que quiero ir a París, pero es demasiado caro.I've been trying to go to Paris for years, but it's too expensive.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. beloved
Llora por el hombre que fue su querer.She cries for the man that was her beloved.
b. love
El primer querer siempre es el más fuerte.First love is always the deepest.
a. love affair
Cuando salió a relucir su querer, el gobernador renunció.When his love affair was exposed, the governor resigned.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to want
Estaré en casa todo el fin de semana así que llama cuando quieras.I'll be home all weekend so call when you want.
quererse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
reciprocal verb
a. to love each other
Dejaron de quererse.They no longer love each other.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to love oneself
Necesitas empezar a quererte más.You need to learn to love yourself more.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.