と思う means I think that. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does と思う mean and when should you use it?
What does と思う mean?
Use と思う when you want to express I think that in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- I think that
- to express “I think that” naturally
- the closest natural English meaning in context
How to form と思う
Phrase + と思う
Examples of the pattern:
- Phrase + と思う
- と思う
- related form: でしょう
When is と思う used?
Use と思う in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples
と思う example sentences
- 明日は雨だと思います。 — I think it will rain tomorrow.
- この本は面白いと思います。 — I think this book is interesting.
- 田中さんは来ないと思います。 — I think Tanaka will not come.
- もっと練習したほうがいいと思います。 — I think you should practice more.
- 日本語は楽しいと思います。 — I think Japanese is fun.
Nuance of と思う
The key nuance is I think that in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because と思う often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
と思う vs でしょう
Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.
と思う:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on I think that
でしょう:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 明日は雨だと思います。 — I think it will rain tomorrow.
- Related pattern with でしょう: compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.
Common mistakes with と思う
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing と思う with でしょう because the English can sound similar
Is と思う on the JLPT?
Yes. と思う is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for と思う
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn と思う with Kanjiru
If you want to review と思う together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: