Processing keyword: ～つもりだ (〜tsumori da)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～つもりだ (〜tsumori da)

1. Introduction

The expression ～つもりだ is a common Japanese grammar point used to indicate one's intention or plan to do something. It allows speakers to convey their future actions or decisions clearly. Understanding this grammar point is essential for expressing intentions in both casual and formal conversations.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• つもりだ means "intend to," "plan to," or "mean to" do something.
• It expresses the speaker's intention or determination regarding future actions.

Structure

The structure varies slightly depending on whether you're forming an affirmative or negative sentence.

Formation Diagram

Form	Verb Form	+ つもりだ
Affirmative	Verb (dictionary form)	+ つもりだ
Negative	Verb (ない-form)	+ つもりだ
Past Intention	Verb (た-form)	+ つもりだった

Formation

1. Affirmative Intention
   • Verb (dictionary form) + つもりだ
   • Indicates intention to perform an action.

   行く **つもりだ**。  
   (I intend to go.)
   

2. Negative Intention
   • Verb (ない-form) + つもりだ
   • Indicates intention not to perform an action.

   行かない **つもりだ**。  
   (I intend not to go.)
   

3. Past Intention
   • Verb (dictionary form) + つもりだった
   • Indicates an intention that existed in the past.

   勉強する **つもりだった**。  
   (I intended to study.)
   

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3. Comparative Analysis

• ～つもりだ vs. ～予定だ

  Grammar Point	Usage	Example
  ～つもりだ	Personal intention or plan	明日、映画を見る つもりだ。 (I intend to watch a movie tomorrow.)
  ～予定だ	Scheduled event or plan involving arrangements	明日、映画を見る 予定だ。 (I am scheduled to watch a movie tomorrow.)

• Difference:
  • つもりだ emphasizes personal intention.
  • 予定だ refers to scheduled plans, often involving external factors or formal arrangements.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. 来年、日本へ行くつもりです。 I intend to go to Japan next year.
2. 週末は家で休むつもりです。 I plan to rest at home this weekend.

Informal Speech

1. 明日、友達と会うつもりだ。 I'm planning to meet a friend tomorrow.
2. もうあの店には行かないつもりだ。 I don't intend to go to that store anymore.

Negative Intention

1. 今日は何もしないつもりだ。 I intend to do nothing today.
2. 彼には話さないつもりだ。 I plan not to talk to him.

Past Intention

1. 昨日は早く寝るつもりだったが、寝られなかった。 I intended to go to bed early yesterday, but I couldn't sleep.
2. 大学で法律を勉強するつもりでした。 I intended to study law at university.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Expressing Intention Politely:
  • Using つもりです is a polite way to express your intentions, suitable for formal situations.
  • It reflects thoughtfulness and consideration, aligning with Japanese social norms of humility and politeness.

Levels of Politeness

Formality	Expression	Usage
Casual	つもりだ	Friends, family
Polite	つもりです	Workplaces, strangers
Honorific	つもりでございます	Very formal situations

Idiomatic Expressions

• そのつもりはない
  • I have no such intention.
  • Used to politely deny an assumption or accusation.

  悪い意味はそのつもりはありません。  
  *(I have no intention of implying something bad.)*
  

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Incorrect Verb Form
   • Mistake: Using the wrong verb form before つもりだ.
     • 行きますつもりだ ❌
   • Correction: Use the dictionary form.
     • 行くつもりだ ✔️
2. Overlooking Negative Form
   • Mistake: Forgetting to use the ない-form for negative intentions.
     • 行きませんつもりだ ❌
   • Correction: Use the ない-form.
     • 行かないつもりだ ✔️

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • Think of つもり as "to sum up" your intention.
  • つもり sounds like "sumori," which can remind you of "summary" of plans.
• Practice Switching Forms:
  • Practice converting verbs to their dictionary and ない-forms to become comfortable with the structure.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• つもりだ expresses personal intention or plans.
• Attach つもりだ to the dictionary form of the verb for affirmative intentions.
• Use the ない-form of the verb + つもりだ for negative intentions.
• つもりだった indicates past intentions.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "I intend to study Japanese"?
   • Answer: 日本語を勉強するつもりだ。
2. Translate to Japanese: "She doesn't plan to eat meat."
   • Answer: 彼女は肉を食べないつもりだ。
3. What is the difference between ～つもりだ and ～予定だ?
   • Answer: ～つもりだ expresses personal intention, while ～予定だ refers to scheduled plans or arrangements.

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By mastering ～つもりだ, you can effectively communicate your intentions and plans in Japanese, enhancing both your conversational skills and cultural understanding.

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