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"Piensan" is a form of "pensar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to think". "Creen" is a form of "creer", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to believe". Learn more about the difference between "piensan" and "creen" 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.
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creer(
kreh
-
ehr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to believe
Creo en un ser superior.I believe in a supreme being.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to think
Creo que podría estar enfermo.I think he might be sick.
a. to believe
Nadie me cree.No one believes me.
creerse
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 believe
No me creo mejor que tú.I don't believe that I am better than you.
b. to think
¿Te crees tan guapo?You think you're so good-looking?
a. to believe
¿Pero tú piensas que se lo cree en serio?Do you think she really believes that?
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