Understanding the Basics: “Achar” vs. “Pensar”
What Does “Achar” Mean?
“Achar” is commonly used in Portuguese to express an opinion or belief. When you say “eu acho,” you are essentially saying “I think” in the sense of “I believe” or “I find.” It’s often used to share personal viewpoints or subjective assessments.
- Eu acho que este restaurante é muito bom. (I think this restaurant is very good.)
- Você acha que vai chover hoje? (Do you think it will rain today?)
Notice how “achar” indicates a personal judgment or a belief about something that may not be based on deep reasoning or analysis.
What Does “Pensar” Mean?
“Pensar”, on the other hand, is the Portuguese verb for “to think” in the sense of pondering, considering, or reflecting. It is used when referring to the mental process of thinking, planning, or contemplating something.
- Estou pensando no que fazer amanhã. (I am thinking about what to do tomorrow.)
- Ela pensou muito antes de tomar uma decisão. (She thought a lot before making a decision.)
“Pensar” is more about the process of thought itself, rather than just expressing an opinion.
When to Use “Achar” and When to Use “Pensar”
Expressing Opinions and Beliefs
Use “achar” when you want to state your opinion or belief about something. It is often followed by “que” and a clause:
- Eu acho que ele está certo. (I think he is right.)
Talking About the Act of Thinking
Use “pensar” when referring to the action of thinking, considering, or contemplating:
- Estou pensando em viajar. (I’m thinking about traveling.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most frequent mistakes Portuguese learners make is using “pensar” when “achar” would be more natural, especially when expressing opinions. For example:
- Incorrect: Penso que este filme é bom.
- Correct: Acho que este filme é bom.
While “penso que” is not grammatically incorrect, it sounds more formal or philosophical and is rarely used in everyday conversation. For casual opinions, “achar” is the preferred verb.
Examples in Context
Let’s look at some more real-life examples to clarify the difference:
- Achar: Eu acho que você deveria descansar. (I think you should rest.)
- Pensar: Estou pensando em mudar de emprego. (I’m thinking about changing jobs.)
Tips for Mastery
- Remember: “Achar” = to express an opinion or belief.
- “Pensar” = to consider, reflect, or mentally process something.
- Listen to native speakers and notice how they use these verbs in different contexts.
- Practice by forming your own sentences using both verbs to describe your thoughts and opinions.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “achar” and “pensar” is crucial for anyone learning Portuguese. By distinguishing between expressing an opinion and describing the process of thinking, you can communicate more naturally and effectively. For more language tips and practice, be sure to explore other articles on the Talkpal – AI language learning blog, your go-to resource for mastering Portuguese and other languages.
