Pensar + infinitive to express intention

Question 1

The verb pensar in Spanish is used as an auxiliary verb followed by an infinitive

Answer 1

to indicate an intention, i.e. something that has been planned/decided.

Bear in mind that if we want to use the verb pensar to indicate that someone is “thinking about something” then the most common way to express this is by using pensar in a progressive tense:

Question 2

My ex has invited me to his birthday party but I’m not going. (I don’t intend to go)

Answer 2

Mi ex novio me ha invitado a su fiesta de cumpleaños pero yo no pienso ir.

Question 3

You crossed the line; I’m telling your parents everything. (I intend to do it.)

Answer 3

Te has pasado de la raya; pienso contárselo todo a tus padres.

Question 4

What do you intend to do?

Answer 4

¿Qué piensas hacer?

Question 5

Aren’t you going to say hello? (Do you have no intention of saying hello to me?)

Answer 5

¿No piensas saludarme?

Question 6

I was planning on telling you but I was a bit ashamed.

Answer 6

Pensaba decírtelo pero me daba un poco de vergüenza.

Question 7

I’m thinking that it’s going to be difficult for me to go on holiday this year.

Answer 7

Estoy pensando que este año va a ser difícil para mí irme de vacaciones.

Question 8

We were thinking that it may be better if we stayed at home today.

Answer 8

Estábamos pensando que quizás sea mejor que nos quedáramos hoy en casa.

Question 9

I’m thinking about hiring a bike and riding around the park for a while.

Answer 9

Estoy pensando en alquilar una bici y montar un rato por el parque.

Question 10

You can’t be thinking about eating again. We just had lunch half an hour ago!

Answer 10

No puedes estar pensando en comer otra vez. ¡Hace solo media hora que almorzamos!