Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 3: 1/18

と思(おも)うI think

Structure

Verb + と思(おも)う(1)
［い］Adjective + と思(おも)う(1)
［な］Adjective + だ + と思(おも)う(1)
Noun + だ + と思(おも)う(1)

(1) と思(おも)っている

Details

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    Standard

About とおもう

To express that you 'think' something in Japanese, the common expression と思(おも)う is regularly used. As you can probably guess, this is just a combination of the particle と, plus the う-Verb 思(おも)う. とおもう can be used after any verb, い-Adjective, な-Adjective, or noun, but will require だ after a noun or な-Adjective.

Although this structure usually requires だ after nouns and な-Adjectives, it is often omitted in casual speech.

Caution

If you want to express what somebody else is thinking, と思(おも)っている will be used. This is due to と思(おも)う having a sense of 'permanence', and thus not something that the speaker could know about another person. と思(おも)っている can also be used to express your own thoughts when they are currently happening.

  • ジェームスは自分(じぶん)が賢(かしこ)いと思(おも)っている。
    James thinks he is smart.
  • 来年(らいねん)に新(あたら)しいオートバイを買(か)いたいと思(おも)っている。
    I am thinking that I want to buy a new motorcycle next year.

Examples

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    このズボンはいいと思(おも)います。

    I think these pants are good.

    今日(きょう)、雨(あめ)が降(ふ)ると思(おも)った。

    I thought that it was going to rain today.

    そうだと思(おも)います。

    I think so.

    それは凄(すご)いと思(おも)います。

    I think that is amazing.

    ダメだと思(おも)いますよ。

    I think it is no good. (Not allowed)

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      とおもう – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

      • jprspereira

        jprspereira

        Maybe worth mentioning だと when na adjective/noun (infinitive form)

      • mrnoone

        mrnoone

        Great idea!

      • pasi

        pasi

        I keep getting "そう＿＿＿＿” (I think so) wrong. Why is "思います” an accepted answer (without the initial と) Why do I need だ if I include と？そう is a na adjective?

        Edit: okay I seem to have mistyped it a number of times. I think the answer is correct (with だ … although I’m still a little unsure why it’s needed)

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