Penser à or de

Question

I'm confused when to use penser à and when to use penser de, and why you would say "la fille à laquelle je pense" instead of "la fille dont je pense"

Accepted Answer

Hi Hannah,
Penser à quelqu'un / à quelque chose is to think of someone or something,  in other words, it is something on your mind at this moment.
Je pense à nos vacances déjà! (I am already thinking of our holiday!)
J'ai beaucoup pensé à elle dernièrement. (I have  thought about her a lot latterly.)
You will use penser de when you want an opinion on something or someone. e.g.
Je pense du bien d'elle. (I think well of her.)
Qu'est-ce-que vous pensez de cette robe? (What do you think of/What's your opinion on this dress?)
Que penses-tu de ce film ? (What do you think of/What 's your opinion on this film?
Qu'est ce que tu penses de lui? (What's your opinion on him/What do you think of him)
Hope this helps!

Answer

Hi Hannah,
I agree wholeheartedly, to know which verb goes with which preposition can be a frustrating learning experience since there is no rule as far as I can tell.
In the case of penser, it is penser à quelqu'un.
-- Chris (not a native speaker).