つもり
tsumori
In Japanese, to say 'plan to' you use つもり (tsumori).
つもり is used to express that you intend to do something or have a purpose to perform a specific action.
What does it mean word for word?
Grammatically, つもり functions as a noun meaning 'intention' or 'aim'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, つもり follows the dictionary form of a verb to express intention. In informal speech, it is often followed by the copula だ to form つもりだ. In polite speech, you complete the phrase with です to form つもりです. To express a strong lack of intention, you can use the ending つもりはない, which means 'have no intention to'.
How do you pronounce it?
tsumori
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using つもり to describe concrete, scheduled plans such as a business itinerary.
Did you know?
- The phrase つもり can be used to describe a state of mind where someone believes something to be true, even if it is not, such as 'pretending' or 'acting as if'.
- In Japanese, it is considered presumptuous to use つもり when talking about another person's plans. This reflects a cultural tendency to avoid assuming one knows the exact internal mental state of others.
- Adding the particle は to create つもりは can signal that you have an intention, but that external obstacles might prevent it from happening.
Examples in context
- そこへ行くつもりだ。I plan to go there.Tatoeba #213591 by wat, translation #517425 by CK
- 2泊するつもりです。I plan to stay two nights.Tatoeba #12003468 by small_snow, translation #12223355 by CK
- 電車で行くつもりよ。I plan to go by train.Tatoeba #12319784 by small_snow, translation #12319791 by CK
- 私は明日東京に行く予定です。I plan to go to Tokyo tomorrow.
- 今後のビジネス展開について計画しています。I am planning the future business expansion.
- 明日遊びに行くつもりだよ。I plan to go out and have fun tomorrow.
- 明日勉強する予定なんだ。I plan to study tomorrow.
- 明日映画を見に行く予定です。Tomorrow, (I) plan to go see a movie.
- 来月日本に旅行するつもりです。I plan to travel to Japan next month.
- 今晩友達とディナーをする予定です。I plan to have dinner with friends tonight.
- 99 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their weekend plans.
- 健太 Kenta今週末は家でゆっくりするつもりだ。Konshūmatsu wa ie de yukkuri suru tsumori da.I plan to relax at home this weekend.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。私は買い物に行くつもりです。Ii desu ne. Watashi wa kaimono ni iku tsumori desu.That sounds nice. I intend to go shopping.
- 健太 Kenta何を買うつもりなの？Nani o kau tsumori nano?What do you plan to buy?
- 陽葵 Himari新しい靴を買うつもりです。Atarashii kutsu o kau tsumori desu.I intend to buy new shoes.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
