Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
Want to say what you think in Japanese?
Whether it’s “I think it will rain,” “I think this movie is interesting,” or “I don’t think he’s coming,” the expression you need is:
～と思います (〜to omoimasu)
= “I think that …”
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use ～と思います naturally with verbs, adjectives, and nouns — in both positive and negative forms.
1. Basic Structure
Grammar Rule:
Use the short form (also called plain form) of the verb, adjective, or noun before と思います.
| Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | short form + と思います | 行くと思います。 I think [someone] will go. |
| い-adjective | short form + と思います | 高いと思います。 I think it’s expensive. |
| な-adjective | short form + だと思います | しずかだと思います。 I think it’s quiet. |
| Noun | short form + だと思います | 日本人だと思います。 I think [someone] is Japanese. |
✅ Don’t forget to use と before 思います!
This structure can be used with both positive and negative forms, as well as present and past tenses.
2. Examples with Verbs
- 明日、雨が降ると思います。
= I think it will rain tomorrow. - 今晩はパーティーに行かないと思います。
= I think I won’t go to the party tonight. - メアリーさんは旅行に行ったと思います。
= I think Mary will go on a trip.
3. Examples with い-Adjectives
- この映画は面白いと思います。
= I think this movie is interesting. - この帽子は高くないと思います。
= I think this hat is not expensive. - 日本語は難しくないと思います。
= I think Japanese is not difficult.
4. Examples with Nouns & な-Adjectives
- ケンさんは大学生だと思います。
= I think Ken is a college student. - レストランはにぎやかだったと思います。
= I think the restaurant was lively. - この人は有名じゃなかったと思います。
= I think this person was not famous.
❗ Remember: for な-adjectives and nouns, you need だ before と思います.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
| 雨が降りますと思います | 雨が降ると思います I think it will rain. |
| 高いですと思います | 高いと思います I think it’s expensive. |
| 学生ですと思います | 学生だと思います I think he’s a student. |
| 来ない思います | 来ないと思います I think he is not coming. |
📝 Tips:
- Use short forms, not polite forms.
- Always include the particle と!
6. Practice Time!
Turn these into “I think…” sentences using 〜と思います:
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| I think Japanese food is delicious. | 日本の料理はおいしいと思います。 |
| I think Ken is not a college student. | ケンさんは大学生じゃないと思います。 |
| I think this bag is not cheap. | このかばんは安くないと思います。 |
| I think I won’t go out next weekend. | 来週、出かけないと思います。 |
7. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- QCan I use past tense with と思います?
- A
Yes! Example: あの人は先生だったと思います。= I think that person was a teacher.
- QWhat’s the difference between 思います and 思っています?
- A
思います = you’re stating your opinion right now
思っています = you’ve been thinking that for a while
- QCan I use this in casual speech?
- A
Absolutely! Just say と思う instead of と思います:
- 明日、雪が降ると思う。= I think it will snow tomorrow.
- あの人は弁護士だと思う。= I think that person is a lawyer.
- QWhy do I have to use the short/plain form before と思います, not the polite form (like ～ます/～です)?
- A
Think of the particle と (to) in this pattern as acting like quotation marks (“…”) or the English word “that” when you say “I think that…”. You are essentially quoting the thought or statement itself. In Japanese grammar, quoted speech or thoughts are typically expressed using their plain/short form, even if the main sentence verb (like 思います) is polite. So the structure is [Your Thought in Plain Form] + と + 思います.
- QHow do I say “I don’t think that…”? (e.g., “I don’t think he is a student.”)
- A
There are two common ways:
- Negate 思います itself: Use 「～とは思いません」 (～to wa omoimasen) or casually 「～とは思わない」 (～to wa omowanai). This means “I don’t think that [something] is the case.” It can sometimes sound a bit more direct or stronger. Ex: 「彼が学生だとは思いません。」 (Kare ga gakusei da to wa omoimasen. – I don’t think that he is a student.)
- Negate the clause before と思います: You state “I think that [something] is not the case.” Ex: 「彼は学生じゃないと思います。」 (Kare wa gakusei janai to omoimasu. – I think he is not a student.)
- QWhat’s the difference between using と思います (to omoimasu) and other expressions like でしょう (deshou) or かもしれません (kamoshiremasen)?
- A
- ～と思います (to omoimasu): Your personal opinion/belief (“I think…”). Subjective.
- ～でしょう (deshou) / だろう (darou – plain): Probability (“probably…”). Based more on evidence or expectation. Sounds slightly more objective than と思います.
- ～かもしれません (kamoshiremasen) / かもしれない (kamoshirenai – plain): Possibility (“might…”, “maybe…”). Expresses less certainty than the others. Choose based on whether it’s your personal feeling, a likely probability, or just a possibility.
- QHow do I talk about what someone else thinks? Can I say 「[Name]さんは～と思います」?
- A
Directly saying 「[Name]さんは～と思います」 can sound unnatural, like you’re stating their current thought process directly. To talk about someone else’s opinion or thought, it’s more common to use:
- ～らしい (rashii) / ～そうだ (sou da): Expressing hearsay (“It seems like/I heard that [Name] thinks…”). Use 思います primarily for your own current thoughts.
- ～と思っています (to omotte imasu): “[Name] thinks…” (Expresses their state of thinking). Ex: 「彼は大丈夫だと思っています。」 (Kare wa daijoubu da to omotte imasu. – He thinks it’s okay.)
- ～と言っていました (to itte imashita): “[Name] said that…” (Reports what they actually said). Ex: 「彼は大丈夫だと言っていました。」 (Kare wa daijoubu da to itte imashita. – He said it’s okay.)
Conclusion
Now you can express your opinions clearly in Japanese using:
✅ Short form + と思います
✅ All verb/adjective/noun types
✅ Past and negative forms too!
🎯 Try answering this:
日本語の勉強は楽しいと思いますか？
= Do you think learning Japanese is fun?
Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?
Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.
Whether you’re completely new to Japanese or looking to refine your skills, book a one-on-one session.
