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Intend to / plan to
Definition
The grammar pattern "〜つもり" is used to express the speaker's intention or plan. It implies a decided decision or action that has already been made. The speaker is confident about their plan and is committed to carrying it out. This pattern is often used in situations where the speaker has already made a decision and is not open to changing their mind. For example, if someone says "来年、日本に______つもりです", it means they have already decided to go to Japan next year and are committed to making it happen.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form | Verb dictionary form + つもりです | 行くつもりです |
| Negative dictionary form | Verb nai-form + つもりです | 行かないつもりです |
| Negative dictionary form | Verb dictionary form + つもりはない | 行くつもりはない |
Examples
来年、日本に______つもりです。
Raigannen, Nihon ni ______tsumori desu.
I intend to go to Japan next year.
来年 (next year) + 日本に (to Japan) + ____ (verb) + つもりです (intend to)
あしたは早くおきる______。
Ashita wa hayaku okiru ______.
I intend to wake up early tomorrow.
あした (tomorrow) + は (topic marker) + 早く (early) + 起きる (wake up) + ____ (verb) + つもりです (intend to)
A: "週末、何をしますか。" B: "友だちと映画を______。"
A: "Shūmatsu, nani o shimasu ka." B: "Tomodachi to eiga o ______."
A: "What do you plan to do on the weekend?" B: "I plan to watch a movie with my friends."
A asks B what they plan to do, and B responds with their plan
Context
This pattern is used to express a decided plan or intention. It is often used in situations where the speaker has already made a decision and is not open to changing their mind. The dictionary form of the verb is used to express the plan, and the negative dictionary form is used to express the lack of a plan. This pattern is similar to "〜たい" (desire), but "〜つもり" implies a more decided plan.
Watch out
The masu-form is used for polite speech, but つもり is a polite expression that requires the dictionary form of the verb
〜つもり implies a more decided plan, while 〜たい expresses a desire or wish
The masu-form is used for polite speech, but つもり requires the dictionary form of the verb
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the dictionary form of the verb and to express a decided plan or intention. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with 〜たい (desire), and avoid using the masu-form before つもり.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜つもり used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
来年、日本に行くつもりです。
Pattern used: 行く
つもり follows the dictionary form of a verb. 行く (dictionary form) + つもり is correct. 行きます (masu-form), 行って (te-form), and 行き (masu-stem) are all incorrect before つもり.
あしたは早くおきるつもりです。
Pattern used: つもりです
つもりです expresses a firm plan or intention. たいです expresses a wish. ましょう is a suggestion, and てください is a request. The sentence describes a personal plan for tomorrow.
A：「週末、何をしますか。」B：「友だちと映画を見るつもりです。」
Pattern used: 見るつもりです
The question asks about weekend plans. つもりです indicates a concrete plan already decided. たいです would just express a wish, and 見ました is past tense which doesn't fit a future plan.
Interactive
来年、日本に______つもりです。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.