Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 3: 1/18

(おも)

I think

Structure Legend

Structure

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

(1) (おも)っている

Details

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About とおもう

To express that you 'think' something in Japanese, the common expression (おも) is regularly used. As you can probably guess, this is just a combination of the particle , plus the う-Verb (おも)う. とおもう can be used after any verb, い-Adjective, な-Adjective, or noun, but will require after a noun or な-Adjective.
  • ごめん、ちょっと(おく)(おも)
    Sorry, I think I'm going to be a little late.
  • その()(かた)(ひど)(おも)
    I think the way you said that was harsh.
  • (おれ)あの(ひと)綺麗(きれい)(おも)
    I think that person looks pretty.
  • これフランス()(おも)
    I think this is French.
Although this structure usually requires after nouns and な-Adjectives, it is often omitted in casual speech.
  • (わたし)日本(にほん)安全(あんぜん)(おも)
    I think Japan is safe. (Ungrammatical Japanese, but quite common)
Caution
If you want to express what somebody else is thinking, (おも)っている will be used. This is due to (おも) having a sense of 'permanence', and thus not something that the speaker could know about another person. (おも)っている can also be used to express your own thoughts when they are currently happening.
  • ジェームス自分(じぶん)(かしこ)(おも)っている
    James thinks he is smart.
  • 来年(らいねん)(あたら)オートバイ()たい(おも)っている
    I am thinking that I want to buy a new motorcycle next year.

Examples

  • 明日(あした)映画(えいが)()()(おも)

    I think I will go see a movie tomorrow.

  • このズボンいい(おも)います

    I think these pants are good.

  • あの(みせ)()ったことがある(おも)

    I think that I have been to that store before.

  • 今日(きょう)(あめ)()(おも)った

    I thought that it was going to rain today.

  • このスーツ(きみ)似合(にあ)(おも)

    I think this suit looks good on you.

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とおもう – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • jprspereira

    jprspereira

    About 5 years ago

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

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 5 years ago

    Great idea!

  • pasi

    pasi

    About 3 years ago

    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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