Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
~ようと思う (〜you to omou)

~ようと思う (〜you to omou)

Short explanation:

Expresses the speaker's intention or plan to do something.

Formation:

Verb-volitional + と思う, い-Adjective + と思う, な-Adjective + だと思う, Noun + だと思う

Examples:

今日は早く寝ようと思います。
Kyou wa hayaku neyou to omoimasu.
I think I will go to bed early today.
明日美術館に行こうと思っています。
Ashita bijutsukan ni ikou to omotteimasu.
I am planning to go to the art museum tomorrow.
新しいカメラを買おうと思います。
Atarashii kamera wo kaou to omoimasu.
I think I will buy a new camera.
来週友達と映画を見ようと思っています。
Raishuu tomodachi to eiga wo miyou to omotteimasu.
I am planning to watch a movie with my friend next week.

Long explanation:

The ~ようと思う grammar point is used to express the speaker's intention or plan to do something in the future. It can be translated as 'I think I will...' or 'I am planning to...' in English. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective, or noun.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~ようと思う (〜you to omou)

Japanese Grammar Point: ~ようと思う (〜you to omou)

Japanese Grammar Point: ~ようと思う (〜you to omou)

1. Introduction

The Japanese phrase ~ようと思う (〜you to omou) is commonly used to express one's intention or desire to do something in the future. This construction combines the volitional form of a verb with the phrase "と思う," which means "to think."

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

  • Structure:
    • The volitional form of a verb + と思う
    • The volitional form often ends in the suffix -う or -よう depending on the verb type.

Breakdown:

  1. Volitional Form: This form expresses the speaker's intention to do something.
    • For example:
      • 食べる (taberu) → 食べよう (tabeyou) [let’s eat]
      • 行く (iku) → 行こう (ikou) [let’s go]
  2. Attach と思う (to omou): This phrase translates as "I think."

Formation Diagram:

[Verb in volitional form] + と思う

Meaning:

The entire phrase suggests that the speaker is considering or contemplating doing the action specified by the verb.

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points:

  • ~つもり (〜tsumori): This expression also indicates intention but is generally stronger, meaning "I intend to..." instead of "I think I might."
  • ~ようとする (〜you to suru): This translates as "to try to..." and emphasizes the effort being made toward the action. Example Comparison:
  • 食べようと思う (tabeyou to omou): I think I will eat.
  • 食べるつもり (taberu tsumori): I intend to eat.
  • 食べようとする (tabeyou to suru): I am trying to eat.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples:

  1. Formal:
    • 来週、旅行に行こうと思います。
    • (Raishuu, ryokou ni ikou to omoimasu.)
    • "I am considering going on a trip next week."
  2. Informal:
    • 明日、映画を見ようと思ってる。
    • (Ashita, eiga o miyou to omotteru.)
    • "I think I will watch a movie tomorrow."
  3. Written:
    • 彼は大学で勉強しようと思っています。
    • (Kare wa daigaku de benkyou shiyou to omotteimasu.)
    • "He intends to study at university."
  4. Spoken:
    • この週末に友達に会おうと思う。
    • (Kono shuumatsu ni tomodachi ni aou to omou.)
    • "I think I will meet my friend this weekend."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance:

In Japanese culture, expressing intention or consideration rather than making a direct declaration is common. This reflects a level of politeness and consideration for others' opinions and feelings.

Levels of Politeness:

Using "と思う" is generally polite, but the degree of formality can vary based on the context and verb conjugation.

Idiomatic Expressions:

  • あの人と話そうと思う (ano hito to hanasou to omou): "I think I will talk to that person."

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis:

  • Students often confuse ~ようと思う with ~つもり.
  • Misuse of volitional form for irregular verbs can lead to incorrect structures.

Learning Strategies:

  • Mnemonic Device: Remember "よう" for "intention" together with "思う" to link it to thinking about future actions.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways:

  • The structure combines the volitional form of a verb with "と思う" to express future intentions.
  • It reflects a moderate level of politeness and is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts.

Quick Recap Quiz:

  1. What does ~ようと思う express?
  2. Provide the volitional form of 食べる.
  3. How does ~ようと思う differ from ~つもり?
hanabira.org

Ace your Japanese JLPT N5-N1 preparation.

Disclaimer

Public Alpha version Open Source (GitHub). This site is currently undergoing active development. You may encounter bugs, inconsistencies, or limited functionality. Lots of sentences might not sound natural. We are progressively addressing these issues with native speakers. You can support the development by buying us a coffee.


花びら散る

夢のような跡

朝露に

Copyright 2024 @hanabira.org