A penny for your thoughts Meaning in English

expression

US

uh PEN-ee fer yor THAWTS

UK

uh PEN-ee faw yaw THAWTS

Definition

You say 'a penny for your thoughts' when you want to know what someone is thinking, especially when they seem quiet or lost in thought.

Usage & Nuances

This is an old-fashioned and friendly idiom, often used to gently encourage someone to share what's on their mind. It's never literal—no money is actually offered. Used mainly in face-to-face, informal settings, and sometimes playfully.

• Spanish: ¿En qué piensas? - Me gustaría saber lo que piensas
• Portuguese (BR): um centavo pelos seus pensamentos - o que você está pensando?
• Portuguese (PT): um cêntimo pelos teus pensamentos - no que estás a pensar?
• Chinese (Simplified): 我想知道你在想什么
• Chinese (Traditional): 我很想知道你在想什麼
• Hindi: तुम्हारे विचार जानना चाहता हूँ
• Arabic: في ماذا تفكر؟ - أود أن أعرف ما يدور في ذهنك
• Bengali: তোমার ভাবনার দাম কী - কী ভাবছো বলো তো
• Russian: о чём ты думаешь - поделишься мыслями
• Japanese: 何を考えているの？ - 何を考えているのか教えて
• Vietnamese: bạn đang nghĩ gì vậy - kể tôi nghe suy nghĩ của bạn đi
• Korean: 무슨 생각해? - 무슨 생각하고 있어?
• Turkish: ne düşünüyorsun - aklından ne geçiyor
• Urdu: کیا سوچ رہے ہو؟ - اپنا خیال بتاؤ
• Indonesian: kamu sedang memikirkan apa - boleh tahu apa yang kamu pikirkan

Example Sentences

You seem quiet today—a penny for your thoughts?

basic

I saw you staring out the window—a penny for your thoughts.

basic

A penny for your thoughts—what’s on your mind?

basic

You've been zoned out all evening. A penny for your thoughts?

natural

Whenever my brother goes silent, I say, 'a penny for your thoughts.'

natural

You have that look again—a penny for your thoughts!

natural