Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 4: 5/18

う・よう + と思(おも)う

I think I will, I think I shall, Going to, Gonna (Volitional + と思う)

Structure

Verb［おう］ + と思(おも)う(1)

(1) と思(おも)っている

Details

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About 〜ようと思う・〜おうと思う

The combination of a verb with the auxiliary verb う, or よう, followed by the う-Verb 思(おも)う gives us the common expression ようと思(おも)う. This expression is often translated as 'I think I will (A)', or 'I shall (A)'. It is also close to the casual expression 'I'm gonna (A)'.
Remembering that う and よう can have one of three possible meanings in Japanese (as discussed in the よう grammar point), ようと思(おも)う is usually only used to express one of those three. That 'one' is as follows:
意志(いし) - Expresses intentions (has a similar meaning to ～するつもりだ）
  • このゲームはもうあきらめようと思(おも)う。
    I think I will give up on this game already. (I have arrived at the conclusion that I will give it up)
  • 私(わたし)は明日(あした)から電車(でんしゃ)で通(かよ)おうと思(おも)う。
    I think I shall commute by train from tomorrow. (I have arrived at the conclusion that I will do it)
  • 来月(らいげつ)、バイクを買(か)おうと思(おも)う。
    I think I will buy a bike next month. (I have arrived at the conclusion that I will buy one)
This expression is also often used with 思(おも)っている. In these cases, it highlights that the intention of the speaker is something that they regularly think, or have been thinking about for some time.
  • 今晩(こんばん)はレストランで美味(おい)しいものを食(た)べようと思(おも)っているけど、ナオミも来(く)る？
    I am thinking of eating something delicious at a restaurant tonight, but do you want to come too, Naomi?
思(おも)っている may also be used when describing the intentions of another person, as discussed in our lesson about と思(おも)う.
  • タケル、お前(まえ)は絶対(ぜったい)サチコと別(わか)れようと思(おも)っているでしょう。
    Takeru, you are definitely thinking of breaking up with Sachiko, aren't you?
Caution
Let's be careful to remember the difference between the auxiliary verbs よう, and ようだ. They are different constructions that have different meanings, and behave in unique ways grammatically.

Examples

  • 明日(あした)、勉強(べんきょう)をしようと思(おも)う。

    I think I will study tomorrow.

  • 来年(らいねん)、家(いえ)を買(か)おうと思(おも)う。

    I think I will buy a house next year.

  • 帰(かえ)ってから、お菓子(かし)を食(た)べようと思(おも)います。

    I think I will eat candy after returning home.

  • 今日(きょう)から文法(ぶんぽう)の勉強(べんきょう)を始(はじ)めようと思(おも)う。

    I think I will start studying grammar from today.

  • 牛乳(ぎゅうにゅう)がないから、スーパーに行(い)こうと思(おも)う。

    There is no milk, so I think I will go to the store.

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〜ようと思う・〜おうと思う – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (6 in total)

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    About 3 years ago

    @deltacat3 This sentence can be interpreted as “no one will eat the cheese” or “no one is eating the cheese (because it is just sitting there, not being eaten).” That being said, I think that the translation could use some work to prevent any further confusion. Cheers!

  • fdiotalevi

    fdiotalevi

    About 2 years ago

    Is this structure used informally only (like the volitional form alone), or can it be used in a formal context as well?

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 2 years ago

    @fdiotalevi

    Hey and welcome to the community forums!

    ようと思う can be used in formal and casual circumstances. So you can use it when talking to your superior at work, or to someone you don’t know.

    Remember about polite ます though
    Also, when you want to talk about plans of 3rd person, you should use ようと思っている(ようと思っています) rather than ようと思う.

    I hope it helps,
    Cheers!

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