Japanese grammar
What does ～つもりだ mean? Japanese grammar N4
～つもりだ means to intend to ~, to plan to ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V (dictionary form) + つもりです V ない + つもりです |
| Romaji | ~ tsumori da |
| Meaning | to intend to ~, to plan to ~ |
Forming it
| Affirmative | V dictionary form + つもりです: 行くつもりです |
|---|---|
| Negative (no intention at all) | V(dictionary form) + つもりはありません — stronger, a firm refusal |
| Negative (planning not to do it) | V ない + つもりです: 行かないつもりです |
| Past (planned to but it didn't happen) | V(dictionary form) + つもりでした |
How to use it
Talking about a plan that has been carefully thought through and decided in one's mind.
- つもり is originally a noun meaning "an intention in one's mind." So this pattern expresses a carefully considered, mentally settled plan — more certain than ～ようと思います, but still a personal matter, not necessarily on a fixed schedule.
- The two negative forms differ in strength. 「行かないつもりです」= my plan is not to go (a mild, negative plan). 「行くつもりはありません」= I have absolutely no intention of going (firm, can sound a bit cold).
- Since つもり is a noun, it connects to nouns with の and to na-adjectives with な — but at N4 it's mainly used with verbs.
- Be careful when using this with someone above you: asking 「先生は行くつもりですか」sounds a bit tactless, like you're prying into their personal plans. With a superior, it's better to ask 「いらっしゃいますか」or 「ご予定はいかがですか」.
Examples
来月、引っ越すつもりです。
I plan to move next month.
今日はお酒を飲まないつもりです。
I plan not to drink alcohol today.
大学を辞めるつもりはありません。
I have no intention of quitting university.
Keep in mind
- つもり is written in hiragana.
- Degree of certainty: ～ようと思います < ～つもりです < ～予定です.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong明日は雨が降るつもりです。
Tomorrow it will rain.
Correct明日は雨が降るでしょう。
つもり is only used for a PERSON's intention — natural phenomena or machines cannot have an "intention." Vietnamese learners easily get this wrong because the Vietnamese word for "plan" is used for any subject, whether a person or a thing.
-
Wrong行きますつもりです。
I plan to go.
Correct行くつもりです。
つもり is a noun, so the clause modifying it must be in the PLAIN (dictionary) form, not the ます form.
Exam tips
- Distinguishing 「行かないつもりです」(planning not to go) from 「行くつもりはありません」(having no intention of going at all) is a familiar trap.