pensam

Pensam is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Portuguese verb pensar, meaning to think. It is used with plural subjects such as eles, elas, or vocês to express that they think or hold a belief in the present moment. The form is part of the regular conjugation pattern for the -ar verb pensar, and it is paired with the corresponding pronouns to convey who is doing the thinking.

In Portuguese, the present indicative forms for pensar include eu penso, tu pensas (Portugal) or você pensa (Brazil), nós pensamos, and eles/elas pensam (also vocês pensam in many dialects). While padrões vary regionally—particularly the use of tu versus você—the form pensam consistently marks the third-person plural. Pensam is thus a common verb form encountered in everyday speech, writing, media, and literature across Portuguese-speaking communities.

Usage notes include its role in expressing opinion, belief, judgment, or plans as in sentences like “Eles pensam que a reunião começa às três” (They think the meeting starts at three) and “Vocês pensam que isso é viável?” (Do you think that this is feasible?). As with other conjugated forms of pensar, pensam appears in both formal and informal contexts depending on pronoun choice and regional conventions.

See also: Portuguese verb pensar, Portuguese present indicative, Portuguese conjugation patterns.