Translation
to think
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Word origin
From Latin pensare ('to weigh, consider'), a frequentative of pendere ('to weigh'). The English 'pensive' and 'ponder' share this root.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- pensare
- English cognates
- pensive, ponder
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | pense | pensais | pensai | penserai | penserais |
| tu | penses | pensais | pensas | penseras | penserais |
| il/elle | pense | pensait | pensa | pensera | penserait |
| nous | pensons | pensions | pensâmes | penserons | penserions |
| vous | pensez | pensiez | pensâtes | penserez | penseriez |
| ils/elles | pensent | pensaient | pensèrent | penseront | penseraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | pense | pensasse |
| tu | penses | pensasses |
| il/elle | pense | pensât |
| nous | pensions | pensassions |
| vous | pensiez | pensassiez |
| ils/elles | pensent | pensassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | pense |
| nous | pensons |
| vous | pensez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- pensant
- Past participle
- pensé · pensée · pensés · pensées
Examples
.
I think you are right.
.
You have to think before acting.
?
What are you thinking about right now?
.
I often think about my grandparents who live far away.
.
Remember to close the door when you leave tonight.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(15)Très lumineux
2 min read · Core 1000
Le nouveau voisin
3 min read · Core 1000
Le premier jour de Clara
3 min read · Core 1000
Stage ou voyage ?
3 min read · Core 5000
Une fausse nouvelle au lycée
3 min read · Core 5000
Le café du quartier
4 min read · Core 1000
Le coffre du jardin
4 min read · Core 5000
Un message pour Hélène
4 min read · Core 5000
Adieu, madame Rochat
5 min read · Core 5000
Il y avait beaucoup à lire
5 min read · Core 5000
J'aime bien ranger
5 min read · Core 5000
Mais vous, oui
5 min read · Core 5000
On dîne chez Laurie
5 min read · Core 5000
Paper Walls
5 min read · Core 5000
Quand tu auras fini
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(10)French -er Verbs Conjugation: Present Tense Chart and Rules
Intermediate French Grammar (B1-B2): What Breaks the Plateau
French quel vs lequel: Which and Which One, with Charts
French Perfect Infinitive: après avoir fini, être parti
Y and En in French: When to Use Each Pronoun, with Examples
Lequel, Auquel, Duquel: French Relatives After a Preposition
French Stressed Pronouns: moi, toi, lui, eux, with Examples
The French Subjunctive After Doubt, Emotion and Opinion
French Subjunctive vs Indicative: How to Choose
French Verbs Followed by à or de: The Infinitive Lists
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French · Free printables
penser: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "penser" (to think): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 8: penser, toi, lui and 11 more words.