When learning Japanese, one of the most useful expressions you’ll come across is 〜予定よていです. It’s a natural way to talk about plans, schedules, and things you intend to do. While beginners often use 〜ます forms with time expressions (e.g., 明日行あしたいきます “I will go tomorrow”), mastering 〜予定よていです makes your Japanese sound more natural and precise.

What Does 〜予定よていです Mean?

The word 予定よてい means “plan” or “schedule.” When combined with です, it becomes a polite expression used to talk about something you plan to do in the future or something that has been scheduled.

Think of it as saying:

• “I plan to…”
• “I’m scheduled to…”
• “It’s expected that…”

Basic Grammar Pattern

👉 Verb Dictionary Form + 予定よていです
👉 Noun + の + 予定よていです

Examples

1. 来週らいしゅう、日本にほんに行いく予定よていです。
   → I plan to go to Japan next week.
   
2. 会議かいぎは3時じに始はじまる予定よていです。
   → The meeting is scheduled to start at 3 o’clock.
   
3. 明日あしたは友達ともだちと会あう予定よていです。
   → I’m planning to meet a friend tomorrow.
   
4. 来年らいねん、結婚式けっこんしきの予定よていです。
   → The wedding is scheduled for next year.

When to Use 〜予定よていです

• When you want to talk about fixed schedules (meetings, events, school trips).
• When you have personal plans (travel, dates, studying).
• When something is officially arranged (business schedules, public announcements).

Difference from Other Expressions

1. 〜つもりです

• 〜つもりです also means “plan to,” but it’s more about personal intention.
• 〜予定よていです often feels a little more objective, as if something is on a schedule.

🔹 Example:

• 明日勉強あしたべんきょうするつもりです。 (I intend to study tomorrow.)
  
• 明日勉強あしたべんきょうする予定よていです。 (I have planned/scheduled to study tomorrow.)

2. 〜はずです

• 〜はずです means “should be” or “expected to.”
• It’s based on assumptions or reasoning, not necessarily a fixed plan.

🔹 Example:

• 彼かれはもう来くるはずです。 (He should be coming soon.)
  
• 彼かれは6時じに来くる予定よていです。 (He is scheduled to come at 6.)

Quiz: Which Is Correct?

Q: You want to say, “The train is scheduled to arrive at 10:30.”
Which sentence is correct?

1. 電車でんしゃは10時半じはんに着つく予定よていです。
   
2. 電車でんしゃは10時半じはんに着つくつもりです。

Q: You want to say, “I’m planning to have lunch with my friend tomorrow.”
Which sentence is correct?

1. 明日あした、友達ともだちと昼ひるごはんを食たべる予定よていです。
   
2. 明日あした、友達ともだちと昼ひるごはんを食たべるはずです。

Final Tip ✨

If you’re talking about something in your calendar or on a timetable, use 〜予定よていです.
If it’s more about your personal intention, use 〜つもりです.

By adding this expression to your Japanese toolkit, you’ll sound more natural and precise when talking about future events!

If you want to learn Japanese, improve your skills, or connect with native speakers and other learners, we can help. We offer one-on-one lessons, a supportive community, and on demand courses.

Website: nihongonana.com
Email: support@nihongonana.com

✅Book 1-on-1 lessons: https://nihongonana.com/lessons/
✅Join our Speaking Club: https://nihongonana.com/community/
✅Join our Course Waitlist: https://nihongonana.com/courses/