N4#grammar#plans#intentions#n4

Permission & Obligation Lesson 3

Mastering the expression of personal intentions and plans using つもり.

Context

Making Plans

In daily life, we often need to talk about what we intend to do in the future. Whether it is a simple weekend plan or a long-term goal, Japanese uses a specific structure to express these personal intentions.

Imagine you are talking to a friend about your upcoming summer vacation. You have already decided that you are going to travel to Kyoto. To convey that this is your firm plan, you use the 'tsumori' construction.

Explanation

Understanding つもり

The word つもり (tsumori) expresses an intention or a plan that you have made for yourself.

Verb-Dictionary Formつもりです

To form this, take the dictionary form of a verb and add つもりです. For negative intentions (what you do NOT plan to do), you can either use the negative dictionary form + つもりです or the dictionary form + つもりはありません.

Tip

Use this only for your own intentions. When talking about someone else's plans, you usually use other structures like ～そうです (it is said that) or ～つもりだそうです.

Examples

Examples of Intentions

See how つもり is used in various contexts.

来年(らいねん)、日本(にほん)へ行く(いく)つもりです。

I intend to go to Japan next year.

来年らいねんnext year日本にほんJapan行くいくto goつもりですつもりですintend to

今日(きょう)は残業(ざんぎょう)しないつもりです。

I don't intend to work overtime today.

今日きょうtoday残業ざんぎょうovertimeしないしないdo not do

私は大学で勉強する【つもり】です。

Hint: The word for 'intention' or 'plan'.

I intend to study at university.

Usage

Nuance and Usage

How does つもり compare to other ways of expressing the future?

つもり vs 予定

つもり

Personal intention/desire

行くつもりです

予定

Scheduled plan/arrangement

行く予定です

Which sentence sounds more like a firm, scheduled appointment?

来週、友達と会うつもりです。
✓ 来週、友達と会う予定です。

予定 (yotei) implies a scheduled plan or arrangement, whereas つもり (tsumori) focuses on your personal intention.

Deep dive

Advanced Usage

Nuances of past intentions.

Past intentions

You can use ～つもりでした to express an intention you had in the past, which may or may not have been fulfilled. For example: 行くつもりでした (I intended to go, but didn't).

Summary

Lesson Summary

Recap of the lesson.

The grammar point つもりです is essential for expressing your personal plans and intentions. It attaches to the dictionary form of verbs and is a staple of N4-level communication.

つもり

つもりnoun

intention/plan

予定

よていnoun

schedule/plan

残業

ざんぎょうnoun

overtime work

来年

らいねんnoun

next year