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Difference between verbs Achar and Pensar in Portuguese | Lesson 15

Thursday August 1st, 2019
Posted by: Guest
Category: Learn the Portuguese Language and Portuguese Grammar

Are you ready for one more Portuguese lesson? Today we’re studying the difference between verbs ‘achar‘ and ‘pensar‘ in Portuguese, as both can be translated as ‘to think’ in English. If you still get confused with these verbs when speaking or writing in Portuguese, Caminhos is here to help you!

Let’s go!

Verb Achar in Portuguese

We use the verb ‘achar’ when we want to give our opinion about something or someone. Verb ‘achar’ can also convey an idea of uncertainty or assumption.

Examples:

A professora disse que acha meu português ótimo. (The teacher said she thinks my Portuguese is great.)
Eu acho que o Rio é uma cidade linda, mas cara. (I think Rio is a beautiful city, but expensive.)

Elas acham que o Fernando tem namorada. (The girls think Fernando has a girlfriend.)
Tiago acha que vai fazer sol amanhã. (Tiago thinks it’s going to be dunny tomorrow.)
Nós achamos que ela é de Salvador. (We think she’s from Salvador.)

O que você acha barato no Rio? (What do you think is cheap in Rio?)
O que ela achou do seu vestido? (What does she think about your dress?)

Achar = Encontrar

Ps: Verb ‘achar‘ also means ‘encontrar‘ (‘to find’).

Example:

Eu perdi minha caneta ontem, mas a Deise achou. = Eu perdi minha caneta ontem, mas a Deise encontrou. (I’ve lost my pen yesterday, but Deise found it.)

Verb Pensar in Portuguese

We use the verb ‘pensar’ when we want to form our ideas or when we want to have new ideas. Pensar means to reflect, to have thoughts about something or someone.

Examples:

Ele pensa muito em você. (He thinks a lot about you.)

Eu estou pensando em viajar. (I am thinking of making a trip.)
Em que você está pensando? (What are you thinking about?)
Alice e Maria não pensam antes de falar. (Alice and Maria don’t think before speaking.)

Você pensa em sair do Brasil por um tempo? (Do you think about leaving Brazil for a while?)
Estamos pensando em comprar uma casa nova. (We are thinking about buying a new house.)
O que Lennon e Damião estão pensando em comer? (What are Lennon and Damião thinking about eating?)

Videos

Let’s watch a couple of videos where our teachers use the verbs ‘achar‘ and ‘pensar‘ so you can understand the difference a little better.

Homework

Let’s practice:

O que vocês _______ das pessoas do Brasil? (What do you think about people in Brazil?)
Em quem Davi está _______? (Who is David thinking of?)

Você _______ que eu tenho que falar com ela? (Do you think I need to talk to her?)
Quando eu vou pra praia, eu sento e _______ na vida. (When I go to the beach, I sit down and think about life.)
Eles _______ a aula muito boa. (They think the class is really good.)

Rúbia e Marcela _______ em ensinar os verbos irregulares nas aulas. (Rúbia and Marcela think about teaching irregular verbs in class.)
— Você _______ que ele vai pra festa? (Do you think she goes to the party?)
— _______ que sim. (I think so.)
Nós _______ em ir ao cinema. (We think about going to the movies.)