How to Say ‘Come Up With an Idea’ in Portuguese: Pensar em
Learn natural Brazilian Portuguese for generating an idea, proposing a plan, or finding a solution.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Pensar em can mean to think of or come up with an idea. It is followed by a noun or infinitive. Use tive uma ideia when you want to say that an idea came to you.
Use pensar em for coming up with an idea
Consegui pensar em uma solução simples.
I managed to come up with a simple solution.
Tive uma ideia para o projeto.
I came up with an idea for the project.
Use encontrar or criar for a plan or solution
Encontrar uma solução means to find a solution; criar um plano means to come up with or create a plan. Choose the verb that describes whether you discovered an existing answer or designed a new one.
A equipe encontrou uma forma de reduzir o atraso.
The team came up with a way to reduce the delay.
Vamos criar um plano para a viagem.
Let’s come up with a plan for the trip.
Invite someone else to suggest an idea
Ask alguém tem alguma ideia? or você consegue pensar em…? to invite suggestions. These questions are more specific and natural than translating “come up with” word for word.
Você consegue pensar em outro horário?
Can you come up with another time?
Alguém tem uma ideia para resolver isso?
Does anyone have an idea for figuring this out?
Put it into practice
Use pensar em or ter uma ideia for generating ideas, and encontrar uma solução for finding an answer.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Does anyone have an idea for figuring this out”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.