pensando

Pensando is the gerund form of pensar in Spanish and Portuguese, meaning "thinking." It designates the ongoing mental activity of considering, weighing options, or reflecting. It is used with auxiliary verbs to form progressive tenses, similar to "am thinking" or "estoy pensando." It can also appear without a verb to describe the act in a general sense.

Etymology: From Latin pensare, literally "to weigh," reflecting an ancient sense of weighing options before making a decision. Related nouns in the two languages include Spanish pensamiento (a thought) and Portuguese pensamento; verbs related forms include pensar (to think).

Usage: In Spanish, pensando is used in forms such as "Estoy pensando en ir al cine" (I am thinking about going to the cinema) or "¿Qué estás pensando?" (What are you thinking?). The preposition "en" is commonly used to indicate the object of thought: thinking about something. In Portuguese, "pensando" occurs in phrases like "Estou pensando em mudar de emprego" (I am thinking about changing jobs) or "Ela está pensando nisso" (She is thinking about that). While both languages use gerunds for progressive aspect, some prescriptive norms in Spanish prefer alternative constructions in some contexts; however, the gerund remains widespread in many dialects.

Notes: The term is also found as a title or part of titles in Spanish- or Portuguese-language works, often conveying contemplation or reflection.

See also: pensar; pensamiento; pensamento.