N5 · Structured courses

To Omoimasu: Expressing Thoughts

Learn to express personal thoughts, opinions, and conjectures using と思います. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.

12 minNihongo Hub Editorial TeamPublished 2026-06-06Updated 2026-06-06

Learning objectives

  • Lesson goals: Learn to express personal thoughts, opinions, and conjectures using と思います.
  • Form and connection: [句子Plain form] と 思おもいます
  • Nuance in real use: と思います is Japanese's most common "softener" — adding it after any claim makes the tone less absolute and leaves room for disagreement.

Form and connection

[句子Plain form] と 思おもいます

Core Explanation

Learn to express personal thoughts, opinions, and conjectures using と思います.

Cultural Note

と思います is Japanese's most common "softener" — adding it after any claim makes the tone less absolute and leaves room for disagreement.

Practical examples

I think it will rain tomorrow.
I think Japanese is difficult.
I don't think he will come.

Common pitfalls

Build the base form before adding the pattern

Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.

Match politeness to the situation

The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.

Practice and answers

1. Write the connection formula for this lesson.
Show answer[句子Plain form] と 思おもいます
2. Explain the meaning of the first example.
Show answerI think it will rain tomorrow.
3. Rewrite the final example using this lesson pattern.
Show answer彼かれは来こないと思います。 ([句子Plain form] と 思おもいます)

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