〜つもり

〜つもり expresses intend to ~ — a pattern for communicating wants, intentions, and plans. Japanese has multiple expressions for desire and intent, each with different levels of certainty and social appropriateness.

This is an intermediate pattern used regularly in everyday Japanese conversation and writing.

When to Use#

• Declaring a personal intention: 来年留学するつもりだ (I intend to study abroad next year)
• Negative intention: もう二度と行かないつもりです (I don't intend to go ever again)
• Mistaken belief (past): 正しいつもりだったのに (I thought I was right, but...)

When NOT to Use#

• When the meaning is closer to "plan to ~" — use 〜予定だ instead
• In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

• 三泊するつもりです。 — I intend to stay for three nights.
• 車をレンタルするつもりです。 — I plan to rent a car.
• もう一泊延長するつもりです。 — I intend to extend my stay by one night.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Confusing 〜つもり with 〜予定だ — While both are related, 〜つもり expresses "intend to ~" whereas 〜予定だ expresses "plan to ~." Pay attention to the specific nuance each pattern conveys.
2. Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜つもり may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.

Related Patterns#

• 〜たい (want to ~) — Next step
• 〜予定だ (plan to ~) — Compare