つもり

つもり

intention, plan

JLPT N4

Meaning and Usage

The word "つもり" expresses a speaker's intention or plan to do something. It is often used with verbs in the dictionary form to indicate what someone intends or plans to do.

Common Patterns

  • Verb (dictionary form) + つもり: to express intention or plan (e.g., 勉強するつもりです - I intend to study).
  • Verb (negative form) + つもり: to express intention not to do something (e.g., 行かないつもりです - I don't intend to go).

Nuances

Using "つもり" implies a personal decision or plan but does not guarantee the action will happen. It can also express a mistaken belief when combined with past tense, e.g., "知っているつもりだった" (I thought I knew).

Common Collocations

  • つもりです: polite form to state intention.
  • つもりだったのに: expresses contrast between intention and reality.
  • つもりが: indicates an unexpected result contrary to the original plan.

Tips

Be careful not to confuse "つもり" with "はず" which expresses expectation or assumption rather than intention. "つもり" focuses on what the speaker plans or intends to do.

Example Sentences

あした、えいがをみにいくつもりです。

I intend to go see a movie tomorrow.

かれはこないつもりだったのに、きゅうにきました。

He was not planning to come, but suddenly he came.

べんきょうするつもりが、ゲームをしてしまった。

I intended to study, but ended up playing games.