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JLPT N4 · Sentence patterns

ようと思（おも）う (you to omou)

～ようと思う — I am thinking of ～ing

In short · Tells what you are thinking of doing: “I'm thinking of ～ing / I intend to ～.” It attaches to the volitional form (〜よう / 〜おう) of a verb. It is for the speaker's own intentions, and sounds softer than a firm decision.
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Pattern

  • 動詞意志形 ＋ と思う／と思っている volitional form + と思う (食べよう, 行こう, しよう)
  • 意志形の作り方 Group 1: u → o + う (行く → 行こう). Group 2: る → よう (食べる → 食べよう). する → しよう, 来る → 来（こ）よう

Meaning and nuance

The volitional form (let's ～) is the content of the thought: 日本語の試験を受けようと思います. The sentence is about what you plan to do from now. Using 思う adds a soft feel of “I'm thinking about it”, so it is a good way to share plans without sounding too firm.

ている for a continuing plan

~ようと思っている means the plan has been in your mind for a while and still holds: 夏休みに海へ行こうと思っています. ~ようと思う is used when the idea has just come to you. To talk about another person's intention, use ようと思っている.

Examples

  • 今年（ことし）は日本語（にほんご）の試験（しけん）を受（う）けようと思（おも）います。

    Kotoshi wa nihongo no shiken o ukeyō to omoimasu.

    I'm thinking of taking the Japanese exam this year.

  • 週末（しゅうまつ）は部屋（へや）を掃除（そうじ）しようと思（おも）う。

    Shūmatsu wa heya o sōji shiyō to omou.

    I'm thinking of cleaning my room this weekend.

  • 夏休（なつやす）みに海（うみ）へ行（い）こうと思（おも）っています。

    Natsuyasumi ni umi e ikō to omotte imasu.

    I'm thinking of going to the sea during summer vacation.

Common mistakes

  • Make sure to use the volitional form: 行こう, not 行く, before と思う.
  • For another person's plan, use ようと思っている (or ようだ), not ようと思う.

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