～(よ)うと思います
Say what you are thinking of doing
You'll be able to express a current intention or a decision you are considering.
明日図書館に行こうと思います。
ashita toshokan ni ikou to omoimasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
I'm thinking of going to the library tomorrow.
State your intention
Volitional verb + と思います expresses what the speaker intends or is thinking of doing. Use it for a plan the speaker is considering.
週末は家で休もうと思います。
shuumatsu wa ie de yasumou to omoimasu.
I'm thinking of resting at home this weekend.
Form and use ～(よ)うと思います
Make the volitional form before と思います: 行く → 行こう and 食べる → 食べよう. The ending changes with the verb group.
週末は家で休もうと思います。
shuumatsu wa ie de yasumou to omoimasu.
I'm thinking of resting at home this weekend.
日本語の勉強を続けようと思います。
nihongo no benkyou o tsuzukeyou to omoimasu.
I intend to continue studying Japanese.
An intention or an expectation?
With the same action, the volitional form signals an intention. The plain form can express what the speaker expects to happen without stating a decision.
Volitional + と思います, intention
明日図書館に行こうと思います。
ashita toshokan ni ikou to omoimasu.
I'm thinking of going to the library tomorrow.
行こう is volitional: the speaker is considering this plan.
Plain form + と思います, expectation
明日図書館に行くと思います。
ashita toshokan ni iku to omoimasu.
I expect I’ll go to the library tomorrow.
行く is plain form: the speaker expects to go but does not state a decision.
夏休みに北海道へ行こうと思います。
natsuyasumi ni hokkaidou e ikou to omoimasu.
I'm thinking of going to Hokkaido during the summer vacation.
来年、日本の大学を受けようと思います。
rainen, nihon no daigaku o ukeyou to omoimasu.
I'm thinking of taking the entrance exam for a Japanese university next year.
疲れたから、今夜は早く寝ようと思います。
tsukareta kara, kon'ya wa hayaku neyou to omoimasu.
I'm tired, so I'm thinking of going to bed early tonight.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.