Penser and croire are two common French verbs that both relate to mental activity, but they are used in different contexts. Penser means “to think” in a more general or deliberate sense, while croire means “to believe,” often implying trust or acceptance of something as true.
Meanings
- Penser: to think, to consider, to have an opinion
- Croire: to believe, to think (when expressing belief, not certainty), to trust
Usage
Penser
- Used to express a thought, opinion, or intention
- Can introduce indirect questions or reported speech
- Often followed by que (that) or an infinitive
Croire
- Used to express belief, sometimes without full certainty
- Can mean “to think” when expressing a belief or assumption
- Often followed by que (that) or an object pronoun
Examples
- Penser: Je pense que tu as raison. (I think that you are right.)
- Croire: Je crois que tu as raison. (I believe that you are right.)
- Croire: Je crois en Dieu. (I believe in God.)
- Penser: Que penses-tu de ce film ? (What do you think of this movie?)
- Croire: Je crois ce qu’il dit. (I believe what he says.)
How would you ask someone’s opinion about a movie?
Que penses-tu de ce film ?
Penser de is used to ask for an opinion.
What does "Je crois en Dieu" mean?
I believe in God.
Croire en means 'to believe in' something or someone.
Common Expressions
- Penser à: to think about
- Penser de: to have an opinion about (used in questions)
- Croire en: to believe in (something or someone)
Summary
Use penser when talking about thoughts, opinions, or intentions. Use croire when talking about belief, trust, or something accepted as true.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
