yo pensaba

I thought

yo pensaba(yoh pehn-sah-bah)

phrase

1. (I believed; imperfect indicative; first person singular)

a. I thought

¿Mateo es tu hermano? Yo pensaba que era tu novio.

Mateo is your brother? I thought he was your boyfriend.

b. I used to think

Yo pensaba que tener hijos no era lo mío, pero con el tiempo cambié de idea.

I used to think that having children wasn't my thing, but I changed my mind in time.

2. (I had the intention of; imperfect indicative; first person singular)

a. I was planning

Yo pensaba ir a dar un paseo por el parque. ¿Quieres venir conmigo?

I was planning to go for a walk in the park. Would you like to come with me?

b. I meant

Yo pensaba regar las plantas, pero me olvidé.

I meant to water the plants, but I forgot.

c. I intended

Yo soy pintor. - Pues yo pensaba dedicarme a la pintura, pero la vida me llevó por otros derroteros.

I'm a painter. - Well, I intended to devote myself to painting, but life took me in a different direction.

3. (I had in mind; imperfect indicative; first person singular; used with "en")

a. I was thinking about

Luis me dijo que hoy se encontró contigo. - Sí, yo justo pensaba en él cuando lo vi en la puerta del supermercado.

Luis told me he bumped into you today. - Yes, I was just thinking about him when I saw him outside the supermarket.