ようと思う

ようと思う means be thinking of doing. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.

This English meaning is chosen independently from the source-list gloss so it stays natural, concise, and useful for learners searching for ようと思う.

What does ようと思う mean?

Use ようと思う when you want to express be thinking of doing in a Japanese sentence.

Natural translations include:

• be thinking of doing
• to express “be thinking of doing” naturally
• the closest natural meaning in context

How to form ようと思う

Attach と思う to the volitional form of a verb.

Examples of the pattern:

• Volitional form + と思う
• ようと思う
• related form: つもり

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

When is ようと思う used?

Use ようと思う in situations like:

• reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
• making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
• recognizing natural grammar in conversation, signs, or short passages

Tone and register:

• usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, formal, or written
• common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday Japanese

ようと思う example sentences

After reading each sentence, ask what job ようと思う is doing: expressing that the speaker is thinking of doing something. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of ようと思う

The key nuance is be thinking of doing in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.

This matters because ようと思う can express ability, comparison, intention, appearance, effort, or difficulty depending on the surrounding sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

ようと思う vs つもり

Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

Quick contrast examples:

• Target pattern: 週末しゅうまつに映画えいがを見みようと思おもいます。 — I am thinking of watching a movie this weekend.
• Related pattern with つもり: compare what changes in difficulty, comparison, intention, appearance, or certainty.

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with ようと思う

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with ようと思う, then rewrite it with つもり. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is ようと思う on the JLPT?

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for ようと思う

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

Learning path for ようと思う

Use ようと思う as part of your JLPT N4 change, decision, and intention grammar toolkit. Track who controls the change or decision in ようと思う. Some patterns show natural change, some show personal effort, and others show a decision made by someone or by circumstances.

For practice, write one sentence that uses ようと思う in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below.

Related grammar to review next

• 予定だ — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
• ぜひ — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
• ようになる — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
• ようにする — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.

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Learn ようと思う with Hane

If you want to review ようと思う together with intention and planning patterns, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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