How to Say ‘I was thinking’ in Portuguese
Estava a pensar
ish-TAH-vah ah pen-SAR
[ish-TAH-vah ah pen-SAR]
💬 Usage Tip: In Portugal, estar a + a verb is the everyday way to say you're in the middle of doing something: estou a comer "I'm eating".
🇵🇹 In Portugal: Opening with Estava a pensar... softens a request, much like "I was wondering..." in English. It sounds polite and unhurried on the phone.
Phrase Breakdown
Estava
[ish-TAH-vah]
I was
Imperfect of 'estar', first person; with 'a pensar' it softens a request politely.
Estava a pensar ligar ao restaurante.
I was thinking of calling the restaurant.
a
[ah]
(progressive marker)
In European Portuguese, 'estar a + infinitive' means doing something right now.
Estou a comer.
I am eating.
pensar
[pen-SAR]
to think
Infinitive of 'pensar'; after 'estar a' it shows an ongoing action.
Estou a pensar no jantar.
I'm thinking about dinner.
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