Differences between verbs Achar and Pensar

Oi, estudantes de português!!! In this post, we will talk about the differences between verbs Achar and Pensar. Ready? Let’s do it!

Verbo Achar

Verb ACHAR can have 2 different meanings. 

The first one – the so called “basic meaning” – is TO FIND. Imagine you are looking for something you have lost, then you find that thing. In Portuguese you would say “Eu achei!”, meaning “I found it”.

The second meaning, that is very similar to PENSAR, is to have an opinion about one topic. And it can be used when you are not very sure about something, so it gives an idea of uncertainty.

Examples:

Eu acho que hoje vai dar praia. → I think today is a good day to go to the beach.

Ele acha que eu sou de São Paulo, mas não sou. Sou do Rio de Janeiro. → He thinks I’m from São Paulo, but I’m not. I’m from Rio de Janeiro.

O professor disse que acha meu português muito bom. → The teacher said he thinks my Portuguese is very good.

Nós achamos que hoje ia fazer frio, mas está calor. → We thought today was going to be cold, but it is warm.

Eu acho que ele não vem. → I guess he is not coming. 

Eu acho que a resposta correta é a alternativa A. → I guess the correct answer is the option A.

Verbo Pensar

The verb PENSAR is equivalente to the verb TO THINK in English. And we use it when we are having thoughts about something, considering something or having an idea or a plan.

Exemplos

Você pensa em se mudar para Salvador? → Do you think about moving to Salvador?

Eu estou pensando em viajar para os Estados Unidos no próximo ano. → I’m thinking about traveling to the US next year.

Nós pensamos a mesma coisa sobre você. → We thought the same thing as you did.

Ele nunca pensa antes de falar. → He never thinks before speaking.

Now, let’s practice a little bit more! 

Try to translate the following sentences and then play the player and listen their pronunciation!

→ Eu estou pensando em comer um bolo de chocolate.[

→ Eu estou pensando em visitar o Rio de Janeiro semana que vem.

→ Eu acho que o melhor time do Brasil é o Botafogo!

→ Eu acho o Rio uma cidade incrível. 

→ Eu acho que eu vou ao Brasil em outubro.

We hope now you know the differences between verbs Achar and Pensar. Have fun!