How to Say “I Intend to” in Japanese | Using V + tsumori da（〜つもりだ）

level1 (N5)

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

note: 「〜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.

EnglishJapanese
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:

  1. Change the verb into the short present form (affirmative or negative)
  2. 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

EnglishJapanese
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.

5. Practice Time!

Convert the following into つもりです form:

PromptAnswer
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

PromptAnswer
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. 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.

7. 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?
A

～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)?
A

o talk 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」?
A

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.

8. 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？

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