Mastering Intentions: How to Use 〜ようと思う Like a Native

〜ようと思う

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wanted to express a plan, but you weren’t 100% sure if it would happen? Maybe you are thinking about applying for a new job, or perhaps you’ve just decided to start going to the gym next week. In English, we often say, “I think I will…” or “I’m planning to…”

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

When you start studying for the JLPT N4 and N3 levels, you quickly realize that Japanese has many ways to express the future. You’ve probably already learned 〜ます (the polite future) and 〜つもりです (intention). But there is a specific nuance that makes your Japanese sound much more natural and “human”—and that is 〜ようと思う (yō to omou).

If you’ve ever felt frustrated because your Japanese sounds a bit too robotic or “textbook-ish,” this grammar point is your secret weapon. It expresses an internal decision or a budding intention. In this guide, we’re going to break down exactly how to use it, why it’s different from other forms, and how to avoid the mistakes that most learners make.

The Basic Foundation: Understanding the Volitional Form

Before we can master 〜ようと思う, we have to look at its core: the Volitional Form (意向形 – ikōkei). You might have heard this called the “let’s” form. For example, “Tabeyō” (Let’s eat) or “Ikō” (Let’s go).

When we add 〜と思う (I think) to the volitional form, the meaning shifts from “Let’s do something” to “I think I will do something” or “I am thinking of doing something.” It’s the sound of a person making a decision in their own head.

How to Conjugate Verbs into the Volitional Form

Conjugation is often the biggest hurdle for learners, but once you see the pattern, it becomes second nature. Here is a quick refresher based on the three verb groups:

Group 1: U-Verbs (Godan Verbs)
Change the final -u sound to an -o sound and add -u (う).
Example:

• Kaku (Write) → Kako + u = Kakō
• Nomu (Drink) → Nomo + u = Nomō
• Iku (Go) → Iko + u = Ikō

Group 2: Ru-Verbs (Ichidan Verbs)
Drop the -ru and add -yō (よう).
Example:

• Taberu (Eat) → Tabeyō
• Miru (Watch) → Miyō
• Neru (Sleep) → Neyō

Group 3: Irregular Verbs
There are only two, but you need to memorize them!
Example:

• Suru (Do) → Shiyō
• Kuru (Come) → Koyō (Note: the pronunciation of the kanji changes from ‘ku’ to ‘ko’)

Once you have the volitional form, simply add と思う (to omou) or the polite version と思考います (to omoimasu). Easy, right?

Three Real-Life Examples You Can Use Today

To really get a feel for this grammar, let’s look at how it functions in daily life. Notice how the nuance is slightly different from a cold, hard promise; it’s more about what’s happening in the speaker’s mind.

Deciding on a Lifestyle Change

Imagine you’ve been feeling a bit tired lately and you realize you’ve been scrolling on your phone until 2:00 AM every night. You make a mental note to change.

Japanese: 健康のために、明日から毎日ジョギングをしようと思います。
Romaji: Kenkō no tame ni, ashita kara mainichi jogingu o shiyō to omoimasu.
English: For my health, I think I’ll start jogging every day starting tomorrow.

In this case, using shiyō to omoimasu shows that you’ve come to this conclusion yourself. It’s a personal goal you’ve just set.

Making a Purchase or Investment

You’re at an electronics store looking at a new laptop. You’ve compared the prices and the specs, and you’ve finally made up your mind.

Japanese: このパソコン、少し高いけど買おうと思います。
Romaji: Kono pasokon, sukoshi takai kedo kaō to omoimasu.
English: This computer is a bit expensive, but I think I’m going to buy it.

Here, the grammar expresses a decision made after some thought. It’s more deliberate than just saying “I will buy it.”

Planning for the Future or Career

Maybe you are currently studying for the JLPT N3, but you are already looking ahead to the N2. When a friend asks about your plans, you say:

Japanese: 来年は日本語能力試験のN2を受けようと思います。
Romaji: Rainen wa Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken no N2 o ukeyō to omoimasu.
English: I’m thinking of taking the JLPT N2 next year.

This sounds much more natural than saying “I will take it” (ukemasu) because next year is far away, and many things could change. It shows your current intention.

The Nuance Trap: Omou vs. Omotte iru

One of the most common questions students ask is: “What is the difference between 〜ようと思う and 〜ようと思っている?”

This is where many learners get tripped up on the JLPT. The difference is subtle but very important for sounding like a native speaker.

The “Right Now” Decision: 〜ようと思う

We use 〜ようと思う (the dictionary/present form) when we have just decided something or when we are stating a decision as a present thought. It’s like a light bulb going off in your head.

Example: “Oh, it’s raining. I think I’ll stay home.” (Ieyō to omou).

The “Continuous” Intention: 〜ようと思っている

We use 〜ようと思っている (the ~te iru form) when we have been thinking about doing something for a while. It is a continuous state of mind. If you have been planning to move to Tokyo for three months, you should use omotte iru because it wasn’t a split-second decision you just made.

Key Tip for the JLPT: If the subject of the sentence is a third person (he, she, my friend, the boss), you almost always have to use 〜ようと思っている or 〜ようと考えている. In Japanese culture, you cannot “know” exactly what someone else is thinking at this exact moment, so you describe their state of mind as something you observe from the outside.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even advanced learners sometimes slip up with this grammar. Let’s look at three major pitfalls to keep you on the right track.

Confusing “Intent” with “Possibility”

Many students confuse 〜ようと思う with 〜かもしれない (might). Remember that 〜ようと思う requires willpower. You can only use it for actions that you can control.

Incorrect: 明日、雨が降ろうと思います。 (I think it will rain.)

Correct: 明日は雨が降ると思います。 (I think it will rain.)

Rain doesn’t have a “will” or “intention,” so you cannot use the volitional form for weather.

Using it for Involuntary Actions

Similarly, you can’t use it for things that happen naturally to your body.

Incorrect: 背が高くなろうと思います。 (I think I will grow taller.)

Correct: 背が高くなりたいです。 (I want to be taller.)

Unless you are a superhero, you can’t “intend” to grow taller through sheer willpower!

Politeness Levels and Social Context

While 〜ようと思う is great for friends and casual settings, be careful when talking to a high-ranking boss or a customer. If you want to express a formal plan to a superior, 〜ようと考えております (formal) or 〜つもりです might be more appropriate depending on the context. However, for 90% of your daily interactions, 〜ようと思います is perfectly polite and natural.

Why This Grammar Matters for Your JLPT Success

If you are aiming for the N4 or N3, you will definitely see this grammar point. The examiners love to test your understanding of the Volitional Form and your ability to distinguish between “plans” (tsumori) and “thoughts/intentions” (omou).

Think of it this way:

• 〜ます: A factual statement about the future.
• 〜つもりです: A firm plan or conviction.
• 〜ようと思う: A personal intention, often more flexible or newly formed.

By using 〜ようと思う, you are adding “color” to your Japanese. You are telling the listener not just *what* you are doing, but *how* you are feeling about it. This is the hallmark of an intermediate speaker—moving beyond facts and into the world of nuance.

Summary

We’ve covered a lot of ground today! Let’s do a quick recap of the essentials:

• The Core: Start with the Volitional Form (意向形).
• The Meaning: Use it to express “I think I’ll…” or “I’m thinking of…”
• The Nuance: It represents a personal decision or intention.
• The “Te-iru” Trick: Use 〜と思っている for long-term intentions or when talking about other people.
• The Limit: Only use it for actions you have control over (no weather, no involuntary growth!).

The best way to master this is to start using it immediately. What are you thinking of doing this weekend? Are you going to study at a cafe? Are you going to call your family? Try to form a sentence in your head right now using 〜ようと思う.

Learning Japanese is a long journey, and it’s okay to make mistakes. Each time you use a form like this, you are one step closer to fluency. Keep practicing, keep listening, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. You’ve got this!

Happy studying!

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