Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 4: 5/18

う・よう + と(おも)I think I will, I think I shall, Going to, Gonna (Volitional + と思う)

Structure

Verb[おう] + (おも)(1)

(1) (おも)っている

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About 〜ようと思う・〜おうと思う

The combination of a verb with the auxiliary verb , or よう, followed by the う-Verb (おも)う gives us the common expression ようと(おも). 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 and よう can have one of three possible meanings in Japanese (as discussed in the よう grammar point), ようと(おも) 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).

This expression is also often used with (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.

(おも)っている may also be used when describing the intentions of another person, as discussed in our lesson about (おも).

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)しようと(おも)

    I think I will study tomorrow.

    来年(らいねん)(いえ)()おうと(おも)

    I think I will buy a house next year.

    (かえ)てから、お菓子(かし)()べようと(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)勉強(べんきょう)(はじ)めようと(おも)

    I think I will start studying grammar from today.

    息子(むすこ)レゴ()しがっているから()ってあげようと(おも)

    My son wants lego, so I think I will buy him some.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

〜ようと思う・〜おうと思う – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

  • BonusBread

    BonusBread

    Can someone please help me understand the difference between this and つもりだ

  • RadicalC

    RadicalC

    Well I believe that at their core, つもり assumes made/set plan

    ようと思う is all about expressing consideration.

    日本に行こうと思っている
    still consideration stage
    日本に行くつもりです
    Set plan, even if not set in stone necessarily

  • RadicalC

    RadicalC

    So is 考える commonly interchangable here, because I’ve seen google translate use it instead and it makes sense. tyvm

Got questions about 〜ようと思う・〜おうと思う? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion