Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 10

Structure of う・よう + と思(おも)う:

Verb［おう］ + と思(おも)う⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ と思(おも)っている

Details about う・よう + と思(おも)う:

The combination of a verb with the auxiliary verb う, or よう, followed by the う-Verb 思(おも)う gives us the common expression ようと思(おも)う. This expression is often translated as 'I think I will (A)', or 'I shall (A)'. It is also close to the casual expression 'I'm gonna (A)'.
Remembering that う and よう can have one of three possible meanings in Japanese (as discussed in the よう grammar point), ようと思(おも)う is usually only used to express one of those three. That 'one' is as follows:
意志(いし) - Expresses intentions (has a similar meaning to ～するつもりだ）

このゲームはもうあきらめようと思(おも)う。
I think I will give up on this game already. (I have arrived at the conclusion that I will give it up)
私(わたし)は明日(あした)から電車(でんしゃ)で通(かよ)おうと思(おも)う。
I think I shall commute by train from tomorrow. (I have arrived at the conclusion that I will do it)
来月(らいげつ)、バイクを買(か)おうと思(おも)う。
I think I will buy a bike next month. (I have arrived at the conclusion that I will buy one)

This expression is also often used with 思(おも)っている. In these cases, it highlights that the intention of the speaker is something that they regularly think, or have been thinking about for some time.

今晩(こんばん)はレストランで美味(おい)しいものを食(た)べようと思(おも)っているけど、ナオミも来(く)る？
I am thinking of eating something delicious at a restaurant tonight, but do you want to come too, Naomi?

思(おも)っている may also be used when describing the intentions of another person, as discussed in our lesson about と思(おも)う.

タケル、お前(まえ)は絶対(ぜったい)サチコと別(わか)れようと思(おも)っているでしょう。
Takeru, you are definitely thinking of breaking up with Sachiko, aren't you?

う・よう + と思(おも)う

Usage Notes for う・よう + と思(おも)う:

Let's be careful to remember the difference between the auxiliary verbs よう, and ようだ. They are different constructions that have different meanings, and behave in unique ways grammatically.