Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Master Spanish opinion verbs like "creer," "pensar," "opinar," and "parecer," learning their use in the indicative for certainty and subjunctive for doubt, with intensifiers like "absolutamente" and "totalmente."
  1. Creer, pensar, opinar, parecer are used in the indicative when the opinion is certain.
  2. Creer, pensar, opinar, parecer are used in the subjunctive when they express doubt.
  3. The intensifiers absolutamente and totalmente are used to strengthen an opinion in the indicative and in the subjunctive.
VerbosTiempoEjemplo
Creer, pensar, opinar, parecerIndicativoCreo que el fisio me ayudará a mejorar el dolor en la espalda. (I believe the physiotherapist will help me improve the back pain.)
SubjuntivoNo creo que el cirujano haya recibido los resultados. (I do not believe that the surgeon has received the results.)

Exceptions!

  1. Creer, opinar and pensar are subjunctive when used with negation.

Exercise 1: Los verbos de opinión: creer, pensar, ...

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

sea, tenga, esté, tiene, puede, haya, hizo

1. Opinar:
Opino que la clínica ... un ambiente muy profesional.
(I think that the clinic has a very professional atmosphere.)
2. Pensar:
Pienso que no ... disponible el fisio hoy, ya que está muy ocupado.
(I think the physio won't be available today, as he is very busy.)
3. Creer:
Creo que el dentista ... resolver el problema con mis dientes.
(I believe the dentist can solve the problem with my teeth.)
4. Parecer:
Me parece que el cirujano no ... revisado todos los informes médicos.
(It seems to me that the surgeon has not reviewed all the medical reports.)
5. Parecer:
Me parece que el especialista ... una reputación excelente en este campo.
(I think the specialist has an excellent reputation in this field.)
6. Opinar:
Opino totalmente que el médico de guardia ... bien en enviarme a urgencias.
(I completely believe that the on-call doctor was right to send me to A&E.)
7. Opinar:
No opino que el ginecólogo ... la mejor opción para mi tratamiento.
(I don't think the gynecologist is the best option for my treatment.)
8. Creer:
No creo absolutamente que el médico de guardia ... la experiencia suficiente para tratar este caso.
(I absolutely do not believe that the doctor on duty has sufficient experience to handle this case.)

Understanding Opinion Verbs in Spanish: creer, pensar, opinar, parecer

This lesson focuses on some of the most common Spanish verbs used to express opinions, beliefs, or thoughts: creer, pensar, opinar, and parecer. These verbs allow you to communicate how certain or uncertain you are about something, an essential skill for natural conversation in Spanish.

Verb Usage and Moods

These opinion verbs can be used in two main moods depending on the certainty of the statement:

  • Indicative Mood: Used when the opinion or belief is definite and sure.
  • Subjunctive Mood: Used when there is doubt, denial, or uncertainty about the opinion.

For example:

VerbMoodExample
Creer, pensar, opinar, parecerIndicativeCreo que el fisio me ayudará a mejorar el dolor en la espalda.
SubjunctiveNo creo que el cirujano haya recibido los resultados.

Key Details to Remember

  • Negation: When these verbs are used with negation (e.g., no creo), they typically require the subjunctive mood.
  • Intensifiers: Words like absolutamente (absolutely) and totalmente (totally) strengthen opinions and can be used with both indicative and subjunctive moods to express strong certainty or strong doubt.

Comparison with English

Unlike English, where verbs of opinion like "think" and "believe" are mostly followed by the indicative mood regardless of certainty, Spanish distinguishes between indicative and subjunctive to express certainty or doubt explicitly. This distinction enriches Spanish communication and allows speakers to be more precise about their level of conviction.

Useful Vocabulary and Phrases

  • Creer: to believe
  • Pensar: to think
  • Opinar: to be of the opinion
  • Parecer: to seem
  • No creo que... I don't believe that...
  • Creo que... I believe that...
  • Absolutamente: absolutely
  • Totalmente: totally

Mastering these verbs and their moods will help you express nuanced opinions and doubts with greater confidence in Spanish.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Alessia Calcagni

Languages for communication in international enterprises and organizations

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

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Last Updated:

Friday, 18/07/2025 18:12