つもり means plan to; intend to. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to talk about intentions or plans.
This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to talk about intentions or plans, つもり is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences.
What does つもり mean?
Use つもり when you want to talk about intentions or plans.
Natural translations include:
- plan to
- intend to
- plan to; intend to
The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on the role of the grammar point in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.
How to form つもり
Verb dictionary form / ない-form + つもり
Examples of the pattern:
- 行くつもり
- 買わないつもり
- 勉強するつもり
Pay attention to the word form before and after the pattern. Many beginner mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.
When is つもり used?
Use つもり in situations like:
- future plans
- personal intentions
- explaining what you intend not to do
Tone and register:
- neutral and common
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions
つもり example sentences
- 来年、日本へ行くつもりです。 — I intend to go to Japan next year.
- 今日は早く寝るつもりです。 — I plan to sleep early today.
- 新しい車は買わないつもりです。 — I do not intend to buy a new car.
- 週末に勉強するつもりです。 — I plan to study on the weekend.
- 将来、先生になるつもりです。 — I intend to become a teacher in the future.
Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: question, contrast, reason, time limit, suggestion, negation, comparison, or obligation.
Nuance of つもり
The key nuance is a plan or intention held by the speaker.
This matters because beginner Japanese often uses small words and endings to show meaning that English expresses with word order or helper verbs. For つもり, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context.
For example:
- In conversation, it helps the listener understand a plan or intention held by the speaker.
- Compared with 予定, it has a different job even when the English translation looks close.
つもり vs 予定
Both つもり and 予定 can express related ideas, but they are different.
つもり:
- focuses on personal intention
- can be used for what someone plans to do or not do
予定:
- means schedule or plan as an arranged event
- often sounds more concrete or external
Quick contrast examples:
- 来年、日本へ行くつもりです。— I intend to go to Japan next year.
- 来年、日本へ行く予定です。— I am scheduled to go to Japan next year.
If you are unsure which one to use, ask what the sentence is trying to do: ask a question, connect ideas, show a reason, mark time, make an invitation, compare two things, or express obligation.
Common mistakes with つもり
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using つもり for someone else’s plan without context
- Confusing intention with fixed schedule
- Forgetting の after nouns if using noun + のつもり in other patterns
A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.
Is つもり on the JLPT?
Yes. つもり is commonly taught as JLPT N5 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for つもり
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say you plan to sleep early.
- Say you do not intend to buy a car.
- Say you intend to become a teacher.
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.
Learn つもり with Kanjiru
If you want to review つもり together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N5 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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