When you want to talk about your plans or intentions in Japanese, one very natural and useful phrase is ～ようと思(おも)う. This expression lets you say things like “I’m planning to…” or “I think I’ll…”. Let’s break it down step by step so you can start using it today!

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1. What Does ～ようと思おもう Mean?

The phrase ～ようと思(おも)う literally means “I think I will ~”, but in everyday conversation it’s often used to mean:

I plan to ~
I’m thinking of ~
I’ve decided to ~

It expresses your intention or decision about something you want to do in the future.

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2. Volitional Form Quick Guide 📝

1. Take a verb in dictionary form (for u-verbs) or stem form (for ru-verbs).
2. Add ～よう (informal volitional form).
3. Add と思(おも)う at the end.

Verb Type	Dictionary Form	Volitional Form	Example Sentence
Ru-verbs	食たべる – to eat	食たべよう	ケーキを食たべようと思おもう。 (I plan to eat cake.)
U-verbs	行いく – to go	行いこう	海うみに行いこうと思おもいます。 (I plan to go to the beach.)
Irregular	する – to do	しよう	宿題しゅくだいをしようと思おもっている。 (I’m planning to do my homework.)
Irregular	来くる – to come	来こよう	日本にほんに来こようと思おもう。 (I plan to come to Japan.)

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4. Examples in Action 💬

1. 来年日本らいねんにほんに行いこうと思おもいます。
   I plan to go to Japan next year.
2. ジムに通かよおうと思おもっている。
   I’m thinking of going to the gym regularly.
3. 新あたらしいパソコンを買かおうと思おもいます。
   I’m planning to buy a new computer.
4. 今日きょうは早はやく寝ねようと思おもう。
   I think I’ll go to bed early today.

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5. Difference Between 思おもう and 思おもっている 🧐

• ～と思おもう → You just decided, or it’s a current thought.
  • 今日きょうから日記にっきを書かこうと思おもう。
    I’ve decided (just now) to start writing a diary.

• ～と思おもっている → It’s been your plan for a while, and you’re still thinking about it.
  • 日本語にほんごをもっと勉強べんきょうしようと思おもっている。
    I’ve been thinking about studying Japanese more.

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6. Common Mistakes

• ❌ Using ます form before よう:
  • 食たべますようと思おもう → Wrong…
  • 食たべようと思おもう → Correct

• ❌ Forgetting to change to volitional form:
  • 行いくと思おもう (just “I think I’ll go”) ≠ 行いこうと思おもう (“I plan to go”)

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7. Quick Recap ✨

～ようと思おもう is your go-to phrase when you want to talk about your plans, intentions, or decisions in Japanese.

Use the volitional form + と思う.
と思う = current decision, と思っている = ongoing plan.
Great for both casual and polite conversation!

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✅ Practice Time

Try making your own sentences with ～ようと思う.

• “I plan to study Japanese tonight.” → 日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしようと思おもいます。
• “I think I’ll try that new restaurant.” → あの新あたらしいレストランに行いこうと思おもう。

Now it’s your turn! Translate these into Japanese using ～ようと思おもう:

I’m planning to save money for a trip. →

I plan to call my friend tonight. →

I think I’ll clean my room this weekend. →

I’m planning to start a new hobby. →

I think I’ll wake up early tomorrow. →

I’m planning to read this book during the holidays. →

I think I’ll make curry for dinner. →

I plan to visit my grandparents next month. →

I’m thinking of joining a dance class. →

I think I’ll study at the library today. →

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