～ようと思う (you to omou) - thinking of doing

This pattern combines two parts. First, you need the volitional form of a verb. Second, you add to omou (I think). The volitional form is often called the "let's" form. When you say ikou, you mean "let's go." But when you add to omou, it becomes internal. It changes from an invitation to a personal thought. "I think I will go." It’s a way to process your future actions out loud. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes by forgetting the conjugation. But once you master the volitional form, this pattern is a breeze. It’s like adding a "thinking" bubble over your head.

1. 1To use this, you must master the volitional form first. Follow these steps for each verb group:
2. 2Group 1 (U-verbs): Change the final -u sound to an -o sound. Then add u. For example, iku (go) becomes ikou. nomu (drink) becomes nomou.
3. 3Group 2 (Ru-verbs): This one is easy. Just drop the ru and add you. For example, taberu (eat) becomes tabeyou. neru (sleep) becomes neyou.
4. 4Group 3 (Irregular): These you just have to memorize. suru (do) becomes shiyou. kuru (come) becomes koyou.
5. 5Final Step: Add to omou for the present tense. Use to omoimasu to be more polite.

Use this when you have a plan in mind. It works great for personal goals. "I think I'll study Japanese for two hours." It’s also perfect for real-world scenarios like ordering food. Imagine you're at a cafe. You see the seasonal latte. You say, kore ni shiyou to omoimasu (I think I'll go with this). It sounds more natural than a flat command. You can also use it in job interviews. When asked about your goals, use shiyou to omoimasu. It shows you have initiative and a plan. It’s like a grammar traffic light—it signals you're ready to move forward.

Don't use this for things that are 100% certain. If you have a plane ticket, use tsumori or just the plain form. This pattern implies a bit of "thinking" is still happening. Also, avoid using it for other people's intentions. You can't say "Tanaka-san thinks he will go" using this exact form. You would need to omotte iru for that. It’s also not for instant, split-second decisions. If someone drops a pen, don't say hiroou to omou. Just pick it up and say hirowimasu! It’s for intentions that have spent at least a few seconds in your brain.

One big mistake is forgetting the long u in Group 1. Iko to omou sounds clipped and wrong. It must be ikou. Another mistake is using the wrong verb group rules. Don't say taberou; it’s tabeyou. Many people also try to use it for things they *must* do. If your boss told you to do it, don't say shiyou to omou. That sounds like you're still deciding whether to listen! Use it only for things you actually intend or want to do. Think of it as your "personal choice" marker.

You might know ～ようと思っている (you to omotte iru). What’s the difference? to omou is a decision you just made or a general thought. to omotte iru means you’ve been thinking about it for a while. It’s a continuous state. If to omou is a spark, to omotte iru is a campfire. Then there is ～つもり (tsumori). This is much stronger. Tsumori is a firm plan. ~you to omou is more like a strong suggestion to yourself. Use tsumori for your wedding date. Use ~you to omou for what you're having for dinner.