Can I use this form in polite conversation?

Yes! Just say つもりです instead of つもりだ for politeness.

Can I use this to talk about other people?

Yes, but be sure it’s based on what they said or expressed. Example: 山田やまださんはこの会社かいしゃを辞やめるつもりです。次つぎの仕事先しごとさきをさがしていると言いっていました。= Mr. Yamada intends to quit this company. He said he was looking for his next job.

Does 「〜つもりだ」 always refer to a future plan? Can it have other meanings?

While the most common meaning is expressing a future intention or plan, 「〜つもりだ」 (especially in the plain form) can also mean "believe that one is ~" or "act as if ~", even if the reality is different. Example: もう大人になったつもりで自分でやりなさい。(Mou otona ni natta tsumori de jibun de yarinasai.) = (A mother to her child) Act as if you are already an adult and do it yourself. (Uses the て-form, つもりで).

What is the difference in nuance between using 「〜つもりだ」 and just the plain/polite future tense (V-る / V-ます)?

Using 「〜つもりだ / です」 generally expresses a firmer intention or more definite plan than simply using the plain or polite future tense (V-る / V-ます). V-る / V-ないつもりだ/です: Clearly states the speaker's personal intention or decision to do or not do something. Example: 明日、図書館に行くつもりです。(Ashita, toshokan ni iku tsumori desu .) = I intend/plan to go to the library tomorrow. (Emphasizes it is your firm plan). V-る / V-ます: Can express a future event, a habitual action, or a weaker intention/possibility. Example: 明日、図書館に行きます。(Ashita, toshokan ni ikimasu.) = I will go to the library tomorrow. (Could be a plan, just stating a fact, or a likely event).

How to Say “I Intend to” in Japanese | Using Verb + tsumori da（〜つもりだ、～つもりです）

Q: Are there any specific particles required before the verb when using 「〜つもりだ」?

No, there are no special particles required before the verb specifically because you are using 「〜つもりだ」. You use the regular particles that naturally accompany the verb in its short form (e.g., を, が, に, へ, と, で, etc.) within the verb phrase, just as you would in a standard sentence or when the verb modifies a noun (relative clause). Examples: ケーキ を 作るつもりです。(Keeki o tsukuru tsumori desu.) - Uses を with 作る. 日本 に 行くつもりです。(Nihon ni iku tsumori desu.) - Uses に with 行く.

contents

Video
Introduction
1. Grammar Structure
- Pattern
- Example
2. How to Form It
3. Positive & Negative Use
4. Example Sentences
5. Practice Time!
- Bonus – Negative Form Practice
6. Advanced Tips
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
- Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?
Author and Reviewer

Video

Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.

How to Say “I Intend to” in Japanese | Using V + tsumori da（〜つもりだ）
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel

Introduction

Want to say things like:

“I intend to study tomorrow”
“I don’t intend to eat mochi on New Year’s”
“I plan to go to Japan someday”

In Japanese, to express your intention or plan, you use:

V（short form）＋つもりだ
= I intend to ~ / I plan to ~

Let’s break down how to use this form to talk about what you do — or don’t — plan to do!

1. Grammar Structure

Pattern

Verb (short form) + つもりです

〜つもりだ is the plain form and 〜つもりです is the polite form. This article will focus on the polite form.

Example

English	Japanese
I intend to study.	勉強べんきょうするつもりです。
I intend not to eat rice cakes.	おもちを食たべないつもりです。
I intend to go to the hospital.	病院びょういんに行いくつもりです。

2. How to Form It

To express what you intend to do using V(short) + つもりだ, follow these steps:

Change the verb into the short present form (affirmative or negative)
Add つもりです after the verb

Examples:

Verb	つもり
食たべる (to eat)	食べるつもりです。 I intend to eat.
行いかない (not to go)	行かないつもりです。 I don’t intend to go.
帰かえる (to return)	カナダに帰るつもりです。 I plan to go back to Canada.

3. Positive & Negative Use

English	Japanese
I intend to eat breakfast.	朝あさご飯はんを食たべるつもりです。
I don’t intend to go on a trip.	旅行りょこうしないつもりです。
I plan to make a cake.	ケーキを作つくるつもりです。
I don’t plan to sleep early.	早はやく寝ねないつもりです。

4. Example Sentences

今年ことしは日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうするつもりです。
= I intend to study Japanese this year.
お正月しょうがつはおもちを食たべないつもりです。
= I don’t intend to eat mochi on New Year’s.
来週らいしゅう、飛行機ひこうきに乗のるつもりです。
= I plan to board a flight next week.
将来しょうらいは、日本にほんに住すむつもりです。
= I intend to live in Japan in the future.

gokigen penguin

来月らいげつ、日本にほんへ旅行りょこうするつもりです。
I’m planning to travel to Japan next month.

5. Practice Time!

Convert the following into つもりです form:

Prompt	Answer
朝あさごはんを食たべます。	朝ご飯を食べるつもりです。
ピアノを練習れんしゅうします。	ピアノを練習するつもりです。
ケーキを作つくります。	ケーキを作るつもりです。
日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうします。	日本語を勉強するつもりです。
飛行機ひこうきに乗のります。	飛行機に乗るつもりです。

Bonus – Negative Form Practice

Prompt	Answer
正月しょうがつは旅行りょこうしません。	正月は旅行しないつもりです。
お酒さけを飲のみません。	お酒を飲まないつもりです。

6. Advanced Tips

Past Intention

By using the past tense of つもり (つもりだった / つもりでした), you can express “I intended to / I planned to (in the past).” It’s important to note that this past intention might not have actually come to fruition.

Example: わたしは大学三年生だいがくさんねんせいのとき、銀行ぎんこうに就職しゅうしょくするつもりでした。= When I was in my third year of college, I was planning to work for a bank.

This sentence implies that although he or she was considering getting a job at a bank at the time, that didn’t actually happen.

〜つもりです is not commonly used in questions

While 〜つもりです is not grammatically wrong in questions, it is less commonly used that way in natural conversation.

Example: asking a friend about their plans for this weekend.

今週末こんしゅうまつ、何なにをするつもりですか。
- This is correct, but many native speakers feel that the simpler:
今週末、何をしますか。
- sounds more natural and casual.

However, using 〜つもりです in the answer is completely natural:

彼氏かれしと映画えいがを見みに行いくつもりです。
= I’m planning to go see a movie with my boyfriend.

In short, 〜つもりです is more natural for stating your intention than for asking about someone else’s plans.

Using 〜つもりです in responses

You can use 〜つもりです to respond to a question about future plans or intentions.

Saori

ゴールデンウィークは旅行りょこうに行いきますか。
Are you going on a trip during Golden Week?

Koki

はい、そのつもりです。
Yes, that’s my plan.

This is a natural and concise way to confirm your intention without repeating the full sentence.

When 〜つもりです cannot be used

〜つもりです is used for intentions or plans that already exist. It is not used for decisions made on the spot.

A: あ、今日きょうは図書館としょかんが休やすみですね。= Oh, the library is closed today.

B: じゃあ、カフェで勉強べんきょうするつもりです。= Then, I plan to study at a cafe.

This sounds unnatural because the decision is being made right now.

In this situation, use a plain future or volitional expression instead:

B: じゃあ、カフェで勉強べんきょうします。= Then I’ll study at the cafe.

B: じゃあ、カフェで勉強べんきょうしよう。= Then let’s study at the cafe.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q Can I use this form in polite conversation?: A
Yes! Just say つもりです instead of つもりだ for politeness.

Q Can I use this to talk about other people?: A
Yes, but be sure it’s based on what they said or expressed. Example:
山田やまださんはこの会社かいしゃを辞やめるつもりです。次つぎの仕事先しごとさきをさがしていると言いっていました。= Mr. Yamada intends to quit this company. He said he was looking for his next job.

Q How is this different from ～たい?

～たい expresses desire (“I want to…”), while ～つもり expresses plan/intention.

行きたいです = I want to go
行くつもりです = I plan to go

Q How do I say “I intended to ~” or “I planned to ~” (referring to a past plan)?

When talking about a plan or intention you had in the past, use the past tense of つもり: つもりだった (plain) or つもりでした (polite). This form is often used when the past plan did not happen for some reason.

昨日、勉強するつもりでしたが、友達が来たのでできませんでした。(Kinou, benkyou suru tsumori deshita ga, tomodachi ga kita node dekimasen deshita.) = I intended to study yesterday, but my friend came over so I couldn’t.
早く帰るつもりだったのに、会議が長引いた。(Hayaku kaeru tsumori datta noni, kaigi ga nagabiita.) = Even though I intended to go home early, the meeting ran long.

Q Does 「〜つもりだ」 always refer to a future plan? Can it have other meanings?: A
While the most common meaning is expressing a future intention or plan, 「〜つもりだ」 (especially in the plain form) can also mean “believe that one is ~” or “act as if ~”, even if the reality is different.
Example: もう大人になったつもりで自分でやりなさい。(Mou otona ni natta tsumori de jibun de yarinasai.) = (A mother to her child) Act as if you are already an adult and do it yourself. (Uses the て-form, つもりで).

Q What is the difference in nuance between using 「〜つもりだ」 and just the plain/polite future tense (V-る / V-ます)?: A
Using 「〜つもりだ / です」 generally expresses a firmer intention or more definite plan than simply using the plain or polite future tense (V-る / V-ます).
V-る / V-ないつもりだ/です: Clearly states the speaker’s personal intention or decision to do or not do something. Example: 明日、図書館に行くつもりです。(Ashita, toshokan ni iku tsumori desu.) = I intend/plan to go to the library tomorrow. (Emphasizes it is your firm plan).
V-る / V-ます: Can express a future event, a habitual action, or a weaker intention/possibility. Example: 明日、図書館に行きます。(Ashita, toshokan ni ikimasu.) = I will go to the library tomorrow. (Could be a plan, just stating a fact, or a likely event).

Q Are there any specific particles required before the verb when using 「〜つもりだ」?

No, there are no special particles required before the verb specifically because you are using 「〜つもりだ」. You use the regular particles that naturally accompany the verb in its short form (e.g., を, が, に, へ, と, で, etc.) within the verb phrase, just as you would in a standard sentence or when the verb modifies a noun (relative clause). Examples:

ケーキを作るつもりです。(Keeki o tsukuru tsumori desu.) – Uses を with 作る.
日本に行くつもりです。(Nihon ni iku tsumori desu.) – Uses に with 行く.

Conclusion

Now you can:

✅ Express your plans and intentions
✅ Use both affirmative and negative forms
✅ Sound natural and confident when talking about the future!

🎯 Try this:

来週、何をするつもりですか？
今度の休みにどこへ行くつもりですか？

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.

Author and Reviewer

Author: gokigen japanese
gokigen japanese is an online Japanese tutoring service launched in 2023. Flexible, interactive, and culture-rich, gokigen japanese supports learners at all levels with bilingual Japanese tutors.
Over 1,000 students from 30+ countries have used our 300+ original materials, including grammar guides and cultural content.

gokigen japanese was founded by Hirofumi Naramura, a Kyoto University graduate and former Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group (2010–2020). The service has received recognition such as the Chiyoda CULTURE x TECH Award 2024 and acceptance into NEXs Tokyo, a startup program by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Reviewer: Chihiro Hanami
Japanese native and language educator with about 10 years of experience teaching and developing courses and materials.
She studied and taught in 5 different countries. Her most recent teaching role was at University of Pennsylvania in the U.S.
Other than teaching all levels of Japanese in various settings from personal tutoring to college courses, she also has experience writing articles about Japanese language and culture and teaching English.
Education: M.A. in Japanese pedagogy, Purdue University. B.A from the school of Japanese language and culture, Tsukuba University.