～ようと思う (think of doing)

• Reading: ようとおもう
• Romaji: you to omou
• Formation: Verb volitional form (よう/おう) + と思う
• Kanji breakdown: 思 (おも) — think, consider

Meaning

Expresses the speaker's desire or decision to do something. It combines the volitional form of a verb with と思う to indicate a plan or resolution.

ようと思う is used when the speaker has made or is making a decision about doing something. The volitional form (よう for Group 2 and irregular verbs, おう for Group 1 verbs) precedes と思う. When using と思っている, it indicates an ongoing intention that has been in mind for some time. This pattern is softer than つもり, suggesting the decision may still be forming or was just made. It is primarily used for first-person intentions in statements. For reporting a third person's intention, ようと思っている is used with appropriate markers.

Examples

1. 今年から毎日運動しようと思う。 I'm thinking of exercising every day starting this year.
2. 転職しようと思っています。 I'm thinking of changing jobs.
3. 来月から料理を習おうと思う。 I'm thinking of taking cooking lessons from next month.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: deliberative

Do Say

• 夏までにダイエットしようと思っている。
• 週末に部屋を片付けようと思います。
• 来年は資格を取ろうと思う。

Don't Say

• 映画を見ると思う。(The volitional form is required before と思う for intentions — use 見ようと思う) → 映画を見ようと思う。
• 彼女は留学しようと思う。(ようと思う is for the speaker's own intention — for third persons, use しようと思っている) → 彼女は留学しようと思っている。

Origin & History

This pattern combines the volitional form (expressing will) with と思う (to think), literally meaning 'I think I will do,' reflecting the speaker's inner deliberation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal