JLPT N4 grammar
と思う — Meaning & Examples
"I think that ~". [plain form] + と思う. Essential for expressing opinions. Negate the inner statement, not 思う itself.
と思う — "I Think That"
と思う (to omou) expresses your opinion.
Pattern: [plain form] + と思う
あしたは雨だと思います。(ashita wa ame da to omoimasu.)
= I think it will rain tomorrow.
彼はやさしい人だと思います。(kare wa yasashii hito da to omoimasu.)
= I think he is a kind person.
この映画は面白いと思う。(kono eiga wa omoshiroi to omou.) (casual)
= I think this movie is interesting.
Useful expressions:
そう思います。(sou omoimasu.) = I think so.
そう思いません。(sou omoimasen.) = I don't think so.
どう思いますか。(dou omoimasu ka?) = What do you think?
Important: For negative opinion, negate INSIDE と思う:
× 人だと思いません。(hito da to omoimasen.) (sounds wrong)
○ 人じゃないと思います。(hito janai to omoimasu.) = I think (it's) not a person.
Negate the inner statement, not 思う.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on と思う. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. How do you say "I think it will rain"?
- 雨が降りました
- 雨が降ると思います
- 雨が降ると言います
- 雨が降りたい
Show answer
Answer: 雨が降ると思います
と思う = I think. 雨が降ると思います = I think it will rain.
2. "I DON'T think he's a kind person" — where to negate?
- Negate 思う
- Add じゃない at the end
- Negate the inner statement
- Add ないで
Show answer
Answer: Negate the inner statement
Negate the INNER statement, not 思う. 人じゃないと思う = I think (he's) not a kind person.
Practise と思う in the free app
This point is part of the “Reporting What People Say and Think” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Reporting What People Say and Think
Frequently asked questions
What does と思う mean?
"I think that ~". [plain form] + と思う. Essential for expressing opinions. Negate the inner statement, not 思う itself.
Is と思う on the JLPT N4 test?
と思う is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Reporting What People Say and Think”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise と思う?
Open the “Reporting What People Say and Think” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.