N4Grammar

う・よう + と思(おも)う

I think I will, I think I shall, Going to, Gonna (Volitional + と思う)

Structure

Verb［よう］ + と思(おも)う⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ と思(おも)っている

Explanation

This pattern is formed by attaching a verb's volitional form (the auxiliary verb う or よう) to the う-Verb 思(おも)う, which results in the phrase ようと思(おも)う. This construction conveys an intention or decision, and can be translated as 'I'm planning to (A)', or 'I've decided to (A)'. It is also similar to the casual English phrase 'I'm thinking of (doing A)'.

While the volitional form (う/よう) has several functions in Japanese (as seen in the よう grammar point), the ようと思(おも)う structure is used almost exclusively to convey one of them. This specific function is:

意志(いし) - To convey a plan or decision (this is similar in function to ～するつもりだ).

このアルバイトはもうやめようと思(おも)う。
I think I'm going to quit this part-time job. (I have decided that I will quit.)
夏休(なつやす)みは国(くに)に帰(かえ)ろうと思(おも)う。
I'm planning to return to my home country for summer vacation. (I have decided that I will return.)
来年(らいねん)からピアノを習(なら)おうと思(おも)う。
I've decided to start learning the piano next year. (I have made the decision to learn it.)

This grammar is also frequently combined with 思(おも)っている. Using this form implies that the plan is not a sudden whim, but something the speaker has been considering for some time.

髪型(かみがた)を変(か)えようと思(おも)っているんだけど、どうかな？
I've been thinking of changing my hairstyle, what do you think?

思(おも)っている may also be used when stating what you believe someone else is planning to do, as explained in our lesson about と思(おも)う.

彼女(かのじょ)は仕事(しごと)を辞(や)めようと思(おも)っているでしょう。
She's definitely thinking of quitting her job, isn't she?

Caution

It is important not to mix up the auxiliary verb よう with the grammar point ようだ. They look similar but are grammatically distinct and carry entirely different meanings.

Examples

今晩(こんばん)、本(ほん)を読(よ)もうと思(おも)う。

I think I will read a book tonight.

大学(だいがく)に入(はい)ったら、スペイン語(ご)を習(なら)おうと思(おも)う。

I think I will learn Spanish when I get into university.

疲(つか)れたので、そろそろ寝(ね)ようと思(おも)います。

I'm tired, so I think I will go to bed soon.

来月(らいげつ)からジムに通(かよ)おうと思(おも)う。

I think I will start going to the gym from next month.

友達(ともだち)が教科書(きょうかしょ)を忘(わす)れたから、私(わたし)のを貸(か)してあげようと思(おも)う。

My friend forgot their textbook, so I think I will lend them mine.

ちょっと暑(あつ)いから、エアコンをつけようと思(おも)う。

It's a little hot, so I think I will turn on the air conditioner.

明日(あした)は休(やす)みだから、いつもより遅(おそ)く起(お)きようと思(おも)う。

I have the day off tomorrow, so I think I will wake up later than usual.

天気(てんき)がいいから、公園(こうえん)を散歩(さんぽ)しようと思(おも)う。

The weather is nice, so I think I will go for a walk in the park.

この荷物(にもつ)は一人(ひとり)で運(はこ)べないから、父(ちち)に手伝(てつだ)ってもらおうと思(おも)う。

I can't carry this luggage by myself, so I think I will have my dad help me.

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)っているんだけど、何か予定(よてい)ある？

I'm thinking of cleaning my room this weekend, but do you have any plans?

髪(かみ)が長(なが)くなってきたから、そろそろ切(き)ろうと思(おも)う。

My hair has gotten long, so I think I will cut it soon.

この漢字(かんじ)の読(よ)み方(かた)が分(わ)からないから、辞書(じしょ)で調(しら)べようと思(おも)う。

I don't know how to read this kanji, so I think I will look it up in the dictionary.