JLPTMainichi JLPT
English
JLPT N5 · Sentence patterns

つもり (tsumori)

~つもりだ — “I intend to ~”

In short · Verb dictionary form + つもりです says what you plan or intend to do. It shows a personal decision that you have already made in your mind. The negative is ない form + つもりです, or 〜つもりはありません.
A free study page from Mainichi JLPT — the app has 429+ grammar points, plus vocabulary and mock exams.See the app

Pattern

  • 動詞辞書形+つもりです dictionary form + つもりです (行くつもりです)
  • 動詞ない形+つもりです ない-form + つもりです: intend not to (行かないつもりです)

Connection

Put the verb in the dictionary form and add つもりです: 行く → 行くつもりです, 寝る → 寝るつもりです. It is used for what you plan to do from now on.

Nuance

つもり shows your own will or plan, not an outside schedule. Compare 来年日本へ行くつもりです (my plan) with 来年日本へ行きます (a firm statement or schedule). It is a softer way to say what you have in mind.

Negative

Two ways to deny: 行かないつもりです (I plan not to go) and 行くつもりはありません (I have no intention of going), which is stronger.

Examples

  • 来年(らいねん)日本(にほん)へ行(い)くつもりです。

    Rainen Nihon e iku tsumori desu.

    I intend to go to Japan next year.

    行く (dictionary form) + つもり.

  • 今日(きょう)は早(はや)く寝(ね)るつもりです。

    Kyō wa hayaku neru tsumori desu.

    I intend to go to bed early today.

    寝る + つもり.

  • 夏(なつ)休(やす)みに海(うみ)へ行(い)くつもりです。

    Natsuyasumi ni umi e iku tsumori desu.

    I intend to go to the sea during summer break.

    A personal plan.

Common mistakes

  • Use the dictionary form: 行くつもり, not 行きますつもり.
  • つもり is about your own intention. Don't use it to state another person's plan as a fact.

More grammar points

Practice this in the app

Mainichi JLPT turns these grammar points into daily quizzes and a readiness gauge — 100% free, no sign-up.

See the app