Penser or réfléchir? French phrases for thoughts and decisions

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 3 October 2026 · About the library

Give an opinion, ask for time to think and remind someone to do something. Practise penser and réfléchir with short French exchanges and clear patterns.

A2
12 phrases
4 situations
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In short

Penser covers thoughts, opinions and having someone in mind. Réfléchir means giving something thought or considering it carefully. Use je pense que… for an opinion and laisse-moi réfléchir to ask for thinking time.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A person considers a proposal while a friend waits across the table. — A pause gives time to réfléchir. Illustration: Atelier

Give an opinion

Penser de asks for a view; penser que introduces the view.

Conversation partnerQu’est-ce que tu penses de cette idée ?What do you think of this idea?

YouJe pense que c’est une bonne idée.I think it’s a good idea.

Conversation partnerTu veux essayer ?Would you like to try?

YouOui, je pense que ça peut marcher.Yes, I think it could work.

Ask for time

Réfléchir can stand alone or take à plus the question or choice.

Conversation partnerAlors, tu acceptes ?So, do you accept?

YouLaisse-moi réfléchir un instant.Let me think for a moment.

Conversation partnerTu peux me répondre demain.You can answer me tomorrow.

YouMerci. Je vais réfléchir à ta proposition.Thanks. I’ll think about your proposal.

Someone is in your thoughts

Conversation partnerÀ qui est-ce que tu penses ?Who are you thinking of?

YouJe pense à ma sœur. C’est son anniversaire.I’m thinking of my sister. It’s her birthday.

Give a reminder

Penser à plus an infinitive can mean “remember to”.

YouPense à me répondre avant vendredi.Remember to answer me before Friday.

Conversation partnerD’accord, je te réponds demain.All right, I’ll answer you tomorrow.

What is the difference between penser and réfléchir?

Four useful frames

Pattern	Example	Meaning
penser que + sentence	Je pense que tu as raison.	I think you are right.
penser à + person	Je pense à toi.	I’m thinking of you.
penser à + infinitive	Pense à vérifier la source.	Remember to check the source.
réfléchir à + topic	Je réfléchis à la question.	I’m thinking about the question.

Both je pense à cette solution and je réfléchis à cette solution can work. Penser brings the solution into your thoughts; réfléchir draws attention to considering it. In Je pense que cette solution est bonne, you are stating an opinion about it.

Present forms worth keeping together

je	nous	vous
pense	pensons	pensez
réfléchis	réfléchissons	réfléchissez

For careful thought, say réfléchir à un problème. Keep the à: Nous réfléchissons à une solution. When you ask Qu’en penses-tu ?, en stands for the topic already mentioned: “What do you think of it?”