～ようと思う
I think I will…
(Decided now)
Verb plain volitional form + と思う
Remember when I said that the volitional form indicated an “intent” or “inclination” to do something? Well, here it is.
～ようと思う means “I think I’ll…”. It communicates what you have just now decided to do.
Examples
- 店に行こうと思う – I think I’ll go to the store. (plan)
- 帰ろうと思う – I think I’ll go home. (plan)
- レストランで食べようと思う – I think I’ll eat at a restaurant. (Plan)
- 寿司を食べようと思う – I’m planning on eating sushi.
- ケーキを食べようと思う – I think I’ll have some cake.
～ようと思っている
I’m thinking I will…
(Decided in the past)
Verb plain volitional form + と思う
ようと思っている is essentially the same thing as ようと思う、except that the decision was made in the past and not in the moment.
- 5年後、ハワイに行こうと思ている – I’m thinking I will go to Hawaii in 5 years.
- 医者になろうと思っている – I’m thinking I’ll become a doctor.
- まえからウエブサイトを作ろうと思っている – I’ve been thinking I wanted to make a website for a while.
Comparison to Verbと思う
しようと思う expresses a plan.
すると思う is a guess about the future.
- 頑張ろうと思う – I think I’m going to try. (intent to try)
- 頑張ると思う – I think I will try. (Not sure/probably).
Additionally, ようと思う is not to be used about people other than yourself:
- かれは頑張ると思う – I think he’ll try. 〇
- 彼は頑張ろうと思う – He’s decided/intending to try. ✖ (Can’t know).
- 彼は頑張ろうと思っている – He’s thinking he’s going to try 〇 (He told you).
Additional Reading 1
Additional Reading 2