Mastering Your Plans and Intentions with 〜ようと思っている

 ようと思っている_I will

If you have been studying Japanese for a while, you probably know how to say simple things like “I will study” (Benkyo shimasu) or “I will eat” (Tabemasu). But as you progress toward the JLPT N4 and N3 levels, you start to realize that real-life conversations aren’t always so black and white. Most of the time, we aren’t just “doing” things; we are “thinking about doing” things. We have plans, half-formed ideas, and long-term intentions that we’ve been carrying around in our heads for a while.

This is where the grammar point 〜ようと思っている (~you to omotte iru) becomes your best friend. It allows you to express your internal thoughts and ongoing intentions in a way that sounds natural, polite, and nuanced. If you’ve ever felt like your Japanese was a bit too “robotic” or too direct, mastering this structure is the key to sounding more human and fluent.

In this guide, we are going to break down everything you need to know about this essential grammar point. From how to conjugate those tricky volitional forms to the subtle differences between this and other “plan” expressions, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in and help you ace your next JLPT exam and your next conversation in Japanese!

Before diving into the grammar detail, here is the JLPT N4 complete guide: 
The Ultimate JLPT N4 Complete Guide: Your Gateway to Working and Living in Japan

Understanding the Core Meaning and Structure

Before we look at the sentences, let’s talk about what 〜ようと思っている actually does. At its heart, this expression is used to describe an intention that the speaker has had for some time. Unlike a snap decision made on the spot, this grammar suggests that you have been thinking about a certain action or plan for a while.

The structure consists of two main parts:

1. The Volitional Form (意向形 – Ikou-kei): This is the form of the verb that implies “let’s” or “I shall.” (e.g., Iku -> Ikou).
2. 〜と思っている (to omotte iru): This translates to “I am thinking that…”

When you combine them, you get “I am thinking of doing [Verb].” The use of the continuous ている (te-iru) form is crucial here. It indicates a state of mind that started in the past and is continuing into the present. If you just said “〜ようと思う” (to omou), it sounds like a decision you just made at this very second. But “〜ようと思っている” shows that this is a settled intention you’ve been carrying around.

How to Conjugate the Volitional Form

To use this grammar, you must first master the Volitional Form. This can be one of the first major hurdles for JLPT N4 students, so let’s review it quickly by verb group.

Group 1 (U-Verbs / Godan Verbs)
To create the volitional form for Group 1 verbs, you change the final “u” sound to an “o” sound and add “u” (う).

• Iku (To go) → Ikou
• Nomu (To drink) → Nomou
• Kaku (To write) → Kakou
• Aruku (To walk) → Arukou
• Hanasu (To speak) → Hanasou

Group 2 (Ru-Verbs / Ichidan Verbs)
For these verbs, simply drop the “ru” and add “you” (よう).

• Taberu (To eat) → Tabeyou
• Miru (To see/watch) → Miyou
• Neru (To sleep) → Neyou
• Oshieru (To teach) → Oshieyou

Group 3 (Irregular Verbs)
There are only two, and you just have to memorize them!

• Suru (To do) → Shiyou
• Kuru (To come) → Koyou

Once you have the volitional form, you just add と思っている. For example: 日本に行こうと思っています (Nihon ni ikou to omotte imasu) – “I’m thinking of going to Japan.”

Real Life Examples and Context

To really understand how this works, we need to see it in action. Here are three common scenarios where you would use this grammar in everyday life. Notice how the nuance is always about an intention or a plan that isn’t quite a 100% fixed schedule yet, but something you are seriously considering.

Example One: Talking About Future Goals

Imagine you are talking to a friend about your Japanese studies. You’ve been struggling with Kanji, and you’ve decided that you really need to put in more effort to pass the JLPT N3.

Sentence: 来年の夏に、JLPTのN3を受けようと思っています。
Romaji: Rainen no natsu ni, JLPT no N3 o ukeyou to omotte imasu.
English: I am thinking of taking the JLPT N3 next summer.

Why use it here?
In this context, taking the exam isn’t something you decided five seconds ago. You’ve looked at the schedule, you know your level, and you’ve been harboring this intention. Using “ukeyou to omotte imasu” signals to your listener that this is a serious plan you are working toward.

Example Two: Daily Decisions and Lifestyle Changes

Maybe you’ve been feeling a bit tired lately, and you’ve realized you need to start exercising. You’ve been looking at gym memberships or running routes around your neighborhood.

Sentence: 健康のために、明日から毎日走ろうと思っています。
Romaji: Kenkou no tame ni, ashita kara mainichi hashirou to omotte imasu.
English: For my health, I’m thinking of running every day starting tomorrow.

Why use it here?
This shows a personal resolution. If you just said “Hashirimasu,” it sounds like a simple statement of fact. But “Hashirou to omotte imasu” adds a layer of personal will and determination. It reflects your internal thought process to the person you are talking to.

Example Three: Career and Big Life Moves

Big life changes like changing jobs or moving to a new city are perfect candidates for this grammar. These are things we think about for weeks or months before actually doing them.

Sentence: もっと給料がいい仕事を探そうと思っています。
Romaji: Motto kyuuryou ga ii shigoto o sagasou to omotte imasu.
English: I’m thinking of looking for a job with better pay.

Why use it here?
Job hunting is a process. By using this grammar, you are sharing your current state of mind with your colleagues or friends. It sounds less abrupt than “I will quit” and more like “This is the direction my thoughts are moving in.”

Common Mistakes and Subtle Nuances to Watch For

One of the hardest parts of learning Japanese grammar is knowing when *not* to use a certain phrase. While 〜ようと思っている is very versatile, there are a few traps that learners often fall into. Let’s look at how to avoid them so you can speak like a pro.

The Difference Between “Omou” and “Omotte iru”

As mentioned briefly before, the distinction between 〜ようと思う (to omou) and 〜ようと思っている (to omotte iru) is quite important.

Use 〜ようと思う when you make a decision at the moment of speaking. For example, if your friend asks, “Who wants some pizza?” and you decide right then, you would say “Tabeyou to omou!” (I think I’ll eat some!). It’s a fresh thought.

Use 〜ようと思っている when the thought has been in your head for a while. If you have been planning to eat pizza for lunch all morning, you would say “Tabeyou to omotte iru.” In the JLPT, if the context involves a plan for next month or a long-term goal, 〜ようと思っている is almost always the correct choice.

Using it for Other People

This is a major “Japanese culture” rule. In Japanese, you generally cannot directly state what another person is thinking because you aren’t in their head. Therefore, you cannot usually say “Tanaka-san wa ikou to omotte imasu” to mean “Mr. Tanaka is thinking of going.”

If you want to talk about someone else’s intentions, you need to use expressions that show you are making an observation, such as 〜ようと思っているようです (It seems they are thinking of…) or 〜たがっている (They want to…). However, in some narrative styles or when reporting a direct quote, you might see exceptions, but for the JLPT and basic conversation, stick to using it for yourself (I) or “we.”

Confusing it with “Tsumori” and “Yotei”

Learners often mix up 〜ようと思っている, 〜つもりだ (tsumori da), and 〜予定だ (yotei da). Here is a quick cheat sheet to keep them straight:

• 〜ようと思っている: An intention or a thought. (Flexible, personal, “I’m thinking of…”)
• 〜つもりだ: A firm intention. (Stronger, “I intend to…” / “I plan to…”)
• 〜予定だ: A scheduled plan. (Official, fixed, “It is scheduled that…”)

If you use 予定だ (yotei da) for something like “I plan to go to sleep,” it sounds very strange, like your sleep is a business meeting on a calendar. If you use つもり (tsumori), it sounds like a very strong resolve. 〜ようと思っている is the “softest” and most common way to talk about your general plans in daily conversation.

How this Appears on the JLPT

If you are preparing for the JLPT N4 or N3, you need to be ready for this grammar point in several sections. Here is how they usually test you:

The Grammar Section (Sentences)

You might see a sentence where you have to choose the correct conjugation of the verb before “to omotte iru.” They will try to trick you with the potential form or the plain form. Remember: it must be the Volitional Form (Ikou-kei). If the verb is “Taberu,” the only correct choice is “Tabeyou.”

The Reading Section

In reading passages, characters often describe their future hopes or career plans using this grammar. Identifying this helps you understand the character’s motivation. If a character says they are “thinking of moving to Tokyo,” you know that they haven’t moved yet, but they want to. This distinction is often the key to answering “What is the character’s current situation?” questions.

The Listening Section

In the listening section, you might hear a conversation between two people discussing a weekend trip. One might say, “I’m thinking of going to the mountains” (Yama ni ikou to omotte iru). Then the other person might suggest something else. You need to catch that “omotte iru” to realize that the plan isn’t finalized yet; it’s just a suggestion or a current thought.

Putting It All Together

Mastering 〜ようと思っている is a significant milestone in your Japanese learning journey. It represents the transition from simply stating facts to expressing your inner world and your evolving plans. It gives your Japanese a level of politeness and “softness” that is highly valued in Japanese society.

To practice, I recommend trying to write three sentences today about your own life using this grammar. What are you thinking of doing this weekend? What are you thinking of doing for your next holiday? What are you thinking of eating for dinner? By applying the grammar to your own life, the Volitional Form will start to feel like second nature.

Learning Japanese is a marathon, not a sprint. Take it one grammar point at a time, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The fact that you are reading this and trying to improve your skills shows that you have the right mindset to succeed. Keep going, and soon you’ll be using these structures without even thinking about them!

Summary Checklist

• Convert the verb to the Volitional Form (Ikou-kei).
• Add 〜と思っている for long-term intentions.
• Use 〜と思う for immediate, “on-the-spot” decisions.
• Reserve this grammar for your own thoughts (don’t use it directly for others).
• Understand that it is less “fixed” than yotei (schedule) or tsumori (firm intent).

Good luck with your studies, and we hope to see you passing that JLPT with flying colors! If you found this guide helpful, stay tuned for more deep dives into Japanese grammar that will help you bridge the gap between “textbook Japanese” and “real-life Japanese.”

 IPPO, JLPT training platform is always here to help you to pass the JLPT!!