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JLPT N4

〜つもりです

I intend to / plan to

Structure

Verb plain (dictionary/ない) form + つもりです

Expresses the speaker's intention or plan to do (or not do) something.

Examples

  • 来年、日本へ留学するつもりです。

    らいねん、にほんへりゅうがくするつもりです。

    I intend to study abroad in Japan next year.

  • 今日はお酒を飲まないつもりです。

    きょうはおさけをのまないつもりです。

    I don't plan to drink alcohol today.

  • 卒業したら、何をするつもりですか。

    そつぎょうしたら、なにをするつもりですか。

    What do you intend to do after you graduate?

  • 一人で行くつもりでしたが、友達も一緒に来ました。

    ひとりでいくつもりでしたが、ともだちもいっしょにきました。

    I had intended to go alone, but my friend came along too.

  • 来週、彼に本当のことを話すつもりだ。

    らいしゅう、かれにほんとうのことをはなすつもりだ。

    I intend to tell him the truth next week.

  • もう二度と遅刻しないつもりだよ。

    もうにどとちこくしないつもりだよ。

    I don't intend to be late ever again.

Common mistakes

  • Attaching つもり to the ます-form instead of the plain dictionary/ない form (incorrect: 行きますつもりです; correct: 行くつもりです).
  • Using つもりです to describe someone else's objectively arranged, fixed schedule instead of their own personal intention or resolve — for an already-arranged event like a wedding date, 予定です usually sounds more natural than つもりです, which emphasizes personal will.
  • Assuming つもりです guarantees the action will actually happen — つもり only states the speaker's current intention, so it's perfectly natural (and not contradictory) to later say 行くつもりでしたが、行けませんでした (I intended to go, but couldn't).

How it's different from similar grammar

  • 予定（よてい）

    つもり expresses the speaker's own will, intention, or determination — a personal decision that could still change: 来月、日本へ行くつもりです (I intend to go to Japan next month — my personal decision). 予定 describes an objective, often already-arranged schedule, regardless of whose will it reflects: 来月、出張の予定があります (I have a business trip scheduled next month — an arranged plan).

  • 〜（よ）うと思う

    〜（よ）うと思う sounds like a fresh, tentative thought the speaker just had: 今度旅行に行こうと思います (I'm thinking I'll go on a trip sometime). つもりです sounds like a firmer, previously-made decision: 来月旅行に行くつもりです (I intend to go on a trip next month — already decided).

How this shows up on the JLPT

N4 grammar sections test correct conjugation (plain form + つもり, including the negative ない form) and often contrast つもり with 予定 in reading comprehension, asking whether a plan is the speaker's personal intention or an objectively arranged schedule.

Quick check (3 questions)

  • 1. Choose the correct way to say 'I intend to go to the hospital tomorrow.'

  • 2. Choose the word that fits: 今年はもうお酒を＿＿つもりです。(I don't plan to drink alcohol anymore this year.)

  • 3. Tanaka-san said 「来月結婚する予定です」(I have plans to get married next month). Which is closest to what this sentence conveys?

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