Japanese Grammar

Expressing Opinions: 〜と思う (to omou)

To say 'I think that...' or 'I believe that...', Japanese uses the pattern Plain Form + と思う. It is one of the most essential expressions for sharing your opinion.

How to say 'I think...'

To express an opinion or thought, Japanese attaches 'to omou' (think) to the end of a clause. The clause before 'to omou' MUST be in the Plain Form.

This is a key grammar point: you cannot use 'masu' or 'desu' before 'to omou'. You must switch to the plain (dictionary) form first.

The particle 'と' (to) here works like quotation marks. It means: 'I think [this: ...].'

The JLPT tests this pattern from N5 through N4: at N5 you just need Plain Form + と思う (never masu/desu), and remembering that na-adjectives and nouns need だ before と (元気だと思う, not 元気と思う). At N4, questions start probing the difference between と思う for a thought you're having right now and と思っています for an ongoing opinion or plan you've held for a while.

How to Connect ~to omou

Verbs

Plain Form + と思う

→食べると思う (taberu to omou)

I think (I/he/she) will eat

Negative Plain Form

→食べないと思う (tabenai to omou)

I think (I/he/she) won't eat

Past Plain Form

→食べたと思う (tabeta to omou)

I think (I/he/she) ate

Adjectives and Nouns

I-Adjective (plain)

→高いと思う (takai to omou)

I think it is expensive

Na-Adjective

→元気だと思う (genki da to omou)

I think (he/she) is well

Noun

→学生だと思う (gakusei da to omou)

I think (he/she) is a student

Continuous Thinking: ~と思っています

Usage

→Plain Form + と思っています

Use this for ongoing plans or beliefs, not just a momentary thought

Example

→日本語を勉強しようと思っています。

I am thinking of studying Japanese. (Ongoing plan)

Example Sentences

明日は雨が降ると思います。

Ashita wa ame ga furu to omoimasu.

I think it will rain tomorrow.

彼女はもう家に帰ったと思います。

Kanojo wa mou ie ni kaetta to omoimasu.

I think she has already gone home.

この映画は面白くないと思う。

Kono eiga wa omoshirokunai to omou.

I don't think this movie is interesting. (Casual)

Teacher's Advice

First Person Only

~to omou is used primarily for expressing YOUR OWN thoughts. You cannot directly say 'She thinks that...' using this pattern the same way. For third person thoughts, you typically say 'She says that...' (to itte imasu) or 'It seems that...' (you desu/rashii).

Related Grammar

The Plain Form (Dictionary Form)

Grammar guide →

Explanation & Emphasis: 〜んです / 〜のです

Grammar guide →

Ending Particles: よ (yo) and ね (ne)

Grammar guide →

See the full JLPT N5 grammar roadmap →

Express Your Opinion

Practice sharing opinions using ~to omou in Japanese.

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