Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 6
Structure of と思(おも)う:
Verb + と思う(1)
[い]Adjective + と思う(1)
[な]Adjective + だ + と思う(1)
Noun + だ + と思う(1)
(1) と思っている
Details about と思(おも)う:
To express that you 'think' something in Japanese, the common expression と思う is regularly used. As you can probably guess, this is just a combination of the particle と, plus the う-Verb 思う. とおもう can be used after any verb, い-Adjective, な-Adjective, or noun, but will require だ after a noun or な-Adjective.
- ごめん、ちょっと遅れると思う。Sorry, I think I'm going to be a little late.
- その言い方は酷いと思うよ。I think the way you said that was harsh.
- 俺はあの人が綺麗だと思う。I think that person looks pretty.
- これはフランス語だと思う。I think this is French.
- 私は日本が安全と思う。I think Japan is safe. (Ungrammatical Japanese, but quite common)
と思(おも)う
Usage Notes for と思(おも)う:
If you want to express what somebody else is thinking, と思っている will be used. This is due to と思う having a sense of 'permanence', and thus not something that the speaker could know about another person. と思っている can also be used to express your own thoughts when they are currently happening.
- ジェームスは自分が賢いと思っている。James thinks he is smart.
- 来年に新しいオートバイを買いたいと思っている。I am thinking that I want to buy a new motorcycle next year.
Synonyms for と思(おも)う:
〜ようと思う・〜おうと思う
I think I will, I think I shall, Going to, Gonna (Volitional + と思う)
Example of と思(おも)う
明日は、映画を見に行くと思う。
I think I will go see a movie tomorrow.
このズボンはいいと思います。
I think these pants are good.
あの店に行ったことがあると思う。
I think that I have been to that store before.
今日、雨が降ると思った。
I thought that it was going to rain today.
このスーツ、君に似合うと思う。
I think this suit looks good on you.
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