ようと思う (Intend To) in Japanese

Overview

The pattern ようと思う combines the volitional form with と思う ("think") to express personal intention: "I think I will..." or "I'm planning to...". It is one of the most natural ways to talk about your plans and decisions in Japanese, striking a balance between commitment and tentativeness.

At the B1 level, this construction is essential for discussing future plans, explaining decisions, and responding to questions about what you intend to do. It is softer than つもり (firm intention) and more concrete than かもしれない (might), placing it right in the sweet spot for everyday planning conversations.

The continuous form ようと思っている adds the nuance of an ongoing intention -- something you have been thinking about doing for a while, rather than a spur-of-the-moment decision.

How It Works

Formation

Component	Form
Volitional form	行こう、食べよう、しよう
+ と思う	行こうと思う
+ と思います (polite)	行こうと思います
+ と思っている (ongoing)	行こうと思っている

Nuance differences

Pattern	Nuance	Example
ようと思う	Just decided / current intention	行こうと思う (I think I'll go)
ようと思います	Polite version of above	行こうと思います
ようと思っている	Have been intending to	行こうと思っている (I've been thinking of going)
ようと思っています	Polite ongoing intention	行こうと思っています

Comparison with similar expressions

Expression	Strength	Nuance
ようと思う	Medium	"I think I'll..." (personal thought)
つもりだ	Strong	"I intend to..." (firm plan)
予定だ	Objective	"I'm scheduled to..." (external plan)
かもしれない	Weak	"I might..." (possibility)

Important: ようと思う is only used for the speaker's own intentions (first person). You cannot use it for someone else's plans.

Examples in Context

Japanese	English	Note
来年日本に行こうと思います。	I'm thinking of going to Japan next year.	Polite, new intention
ダイエットしようと思っています。	I've been planning to go on a diet.	Ongoing intention
新しい仕事を探そうと思います。	I'm thinking of looking for a new job.	Polite, current plan
何をしようと思っていますか？	What are you planning to do?	Question form (to listener)
週末は家でゆっくりしようと思います。	I think I'll relax at home this weekend.	Casual plan
今年こそ日本語の試験を受けようと思っています。	This year I'm definitely planning to take the Japanese exam.	Strong ongoing intention
転職しようと思って、履歴書を書いています。	I'm thinking of changing jobs, so I'm writing my resume.	Reason + action
夏休みに沖縄に行こうと思っているんですが。	I've been thinking of going to Okinawa for summer vacation...	Seeking input
もう少し待とうと思います。	I think I'll wait a bit longer.	In-the-moment decision
早起きしようと思ったけど、できなかった。	I thought I'd wake up early, but I couldn't.	Failed intention (past)

Common Mistakes

Using ようと思う for third person

• Wrong: 彼は日本に行こうと思っています。
• Right: 彼は日本に行くつもりです。 or 彼は日本に行こうと思っているそうです。
• Why: ようと思う expresses internal thought, so it is naturally first person. For third person, use つもり or add そうです (hearsay) if reporting what they said.

Confusing と思う and と思っている

• Wrong: Using ようと思っている for a decision you just made
• Right: 今決めました。帰ろうと思います。 (just decided)
• Why: と思っている implies you have been holding this intention for a while. For fresh decisions, use と思う.

Using ようと思う for definite, unchangeable plans

• Wrong: 明日の3時に会議があろうと思います。
• Right: 明日の3時に会議があります。 or 会議に出ようと思います。
• Why: ようと思う is for personal intentions, not objective facts or scheduled events. The meeting exists regardless of your intention.

Usage Notes

This pattern is ubiquitous in Japanese conversation. When someone asks 週末は何をしますか (What are you doing this weekend?), responding with ようと思います is the most natural way to share your plans without sounding overly committed or too vague.

In job interviews and formal settings, ようと思っております (extra-polite form) is commonly used to express career aspirations and plans.

The past form ようと思った is useful for describing intentions that did not materialize: 行こうと思ったけど、やめた (I was going to go, but I stopped).

Practice Tips

• When someone asks about your weekend plans, practice answering with ようと思います instead of する予定です. Notice how it sounds more natural and personal.
• Write a short journal entry about your plans for the week using both と思う (new decisions) and と思っている (ongoing plans).
• Practice the failed-intention pattern: ようと思ったけど + reason. This is very common in everyday storytelling.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Volitional Form -- you need volitional conjugation to build this pattern