Sharing Your Thoughts & Opinions (～と思います)

In Japanese, expressing your thoughts and opinions is commonly done using the phrase ～と思います (~to omoimasu), which means "I think (that)...", "In my opinion...", or "I believe...". This structure is extremely versatile and useful in both casual and formal conversations. Understanding and mastering this structure is crucial for expressing yourself clearly and engaging in deeper conversations.

Basic Structure

[Sentence in plain form] + と思います
[Sentence in plain form] + to omoimasu

Use the plain (dictionary) form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns before と思います. Remember that the plain form varies depending on whether you're using a verb, i-adjective, na-adjective, or noun.
と (to) acts as a particle here, indicating the content of your thought. It's similar to the English word "that" in "I think that...".

Examples: Verbs

Japanese	Romaji	English Translation	Notes
彼は来ると思います。	kare wa kuru to omoimasu.	I think he will come.	来る (kuru) is the plain form of "to come."
彼女は勉強すると思います。	kanojo wa benkyou suru to omoimasu.	I think she will study.	勉強する (benkyou suru) is "to study."
雨が降ると思います。	ame ga furu to omoimasu.	I think it will rain.	降る (furu) is "to fall" (rain, snow).
日本語は難しいと思います。	Nihongo wa muzukashii to omoimasu.	I think Japanese is difficult.	Based on the context, "difficult" modifies an implied "to learn."

Examples: i-Adjectives

Japanese	Romaji	English Translation	Notes
この映画は面白いと思います。	kono eiga wa omoshiroi to omoimasu.	I think this movie is interesting.	面白い (omoshiroi) is an i-adjective meaning "interesting."
ケーキは甘いと思います。	keeki wa amai to omoimasu.	I think the cake is sweet.	甘い (amai) is an i-adjective meaning "sweet."
今日は暑いと思います。	kyou wa atsui to omoimasu.	I think it's hot today.	暑い (atsui) is an i-adjective meaning "hot" (weather).
そのレストランは高いと思います。	sono resutoran wa takai to omoimasu.	I think that restaurant is expensive.	高い (takai) is an i-adjective meaning "expensive" or "tall." Context matters!

Examples: na-Adjectives

Japanese	Romaji	English Translation	Notes
彼女はきれいだと思います。	kanojo wa kirei da to omoimasu.	I think she is beautiful.	きれい (kirei) is a na-adjective meaning "beautiful" or "clean." Remember the da when attaching a na-adjective to the plain form.
この部屋は静かだと思います。	kono heya wa shizuka da to omoimasu.	I think this room is quiet.	静か (shizuka) is a na-adjective meaning "quiet."
彼は元気だと思います。	kare wa genki da to omoimasu.	I think he is doing well/healthy.	元気 (genki) is a na-adjective meaning "healthy," "energetic," or "doing well."
この計画は簡単だと思います。	kono keikaku wa kantan da to omoimasu.	I think this plan is simple/easy.	簡単 (kantan) is a na-adjective meaning "simple" or "easy."

Examples: Nouns

Japanese	Romaji	English Translation	Notes
明日は雨だと思います。	ashita wa ame da to omoimasu.	I think it will rain tomorrow.	雨 (ame) is a noun meaning "rain." Remember the da with nouns.
彼女は学生だと思います。	kanojo wa gakusei da to omoimasu.	I think she is a student.	学生 (gakusei) is a noun meaning "student." Remember the da with nouns.
彼は医者だと思います。	kare wa isha da to omoimasu.	I think he is a doctor.	医者 (isha) is a noun meaning "doctor."
あれは猫だと思います。	are wa neko da to omoimasu.	I think that is a cat.	猫 (neko) is a noun meaning "cat."

Negative and Past Forms

You can also use negative or past forms before と思います. This allows you to express nuanced opinions.

Japanese	Romaji	English Translation	Notes
彼は来ないと思います。	kare wa konai to omoimasu.	I don't think he will come.	来ない (konai) is the negative plain form of 来る (kuru).
彼は来たと思います。	kare wa kita to omoimasu.	I think he came.	来た (kita) is the past plain form of 来る (kuru).
この問題は難しくないと思います。	kono mondai wa muzukashikunai to omoimasu.	I don't think this problem is difficult.	難しくない (muzukashikunai) is the negative plain form of 難しい (muzukashii).
昨日は寒かったと思います。	kinou wa samukatta to omoimasu.	I think it was cold yesterday.	寒かった (samukatta) is the past plain form of 寒い (samui).
彼女は学生じゃなかったと思います。	kanojo wa gakusei ja nakatta to omoimasu.	I don't think she was a student.	学生じゃなかった(gakusei ja nakatta) is the past negative plain form of 学生だ (gakusei da)

Casual Form

In casual speech, you can use と思う (to omou) instead of the polite と思います (to omoimasu). Remember that using casual form depends on your relationship with the person you're talking to. Use it with close friends, family, and people younger than you. Avoid using it with superiors or people you don't know well.

彼は来ると思う。
kare wa kuru to omou.
(I think he will come.)
この映画は面白いと思う。
kono eiga wa omoshiroi to omou.
(I think this movie is interesting.)
明日は雨だと思う。
ashita wa ame da to omou.
(I think it will rain tomorrow.)
彼女は学生だと思う。
kanojo wa gakusei da to omou.
(I think she is a student.)

Asking for Someone's Opinion

To ask what someone thinks, use:

どう思いますか？ (dou omoimasu ka?) — What do you think? (Polite)
どう思う？ (dou omou?) - What do you think? (Casual)

Expanding on Asking for Opinions:

Beyond "What do you think?", you can ask more specific questions to elicit more detailed opinions. Here are some examples:

Japanese	Romaji	English Translation	Notes
どう思いますか。	dou omoimasu ka.	What do you think?	General, polite question.
どう思う？	dou omou?	What do you think?	General, casual question.
これについてどう思いますか。	kore ni tsuite dou omoimasu ka.	What do you think about this?	More specific; focuses on a particular topic.
これについてどう思う？	kore ni tsuite dou omou?	What do you think about this?	More specific; focuses on a particular topic, casual.
どう感じますか。	dou kanjimasu ka.	How do you feel (about it)?	Emphasizes feelings or impressions.
どう感じる？	dou kanjiru?	How do you feel (about it)?	Emphasizes feelings or impressions, casual.
どういう意味だと思いますか。	dou iu imi da to omoimasu ka.	What do you think it means?	Asks for interpretation or understanding.
どういう意味だと思う？	dou iu imi da to omou?	What do you think it means?	Asks for interpretation or understanding, casual.
何か意見はありますか。	nanika iken wa arimasu ka.	Do you have any opinions?	More direct way to ask for any opinions.
何か意見はある？	nanika iken wa aru?	Do you have any opinions?	More direct way to ask for any opinions, casual.
これが好きだと思いますか。	kore ga suki da to omoimasu ka.	Do you think you will like this? (literally: "Do you think you like this?")	Specific question about preference.
これが好きだと思う？	kore ga suki da to omou?	Do you think you will like this? (literally: "Do you think you like this?")	Specific question about preference, casual.

Beyond ～と思います: Alternative Ways to Express Opinions

While ～と思います is fundamental, Japanese offers a variety of other expressions for conveying your thoughts and opinions, each with subtle differences in nuance and formality. Expanding your repertoire will make your Japanese sound more natural and sophisticated.

～でしょう (~deshou): This expresses a degree of uncertainty, similar to "probably" or "I suppose." It's often used when you're not completely sure about something.
- 明日は雨でしょう。 (ashita wa ame deshou.) - It will probably rain tomorrow.
- 彼は来るでしょう。 (kare wa kuru deshou.) - He will probably come.
～かもしれません (~kamoshiremasen): This also expresses uncertainty, but it's weaker than ～でしょう. It means "maybe" or "might."
- 明日は雨かもしれません。 (ashita wa ame kamoshiremasen.) - It might rain tomorrow.
- 彼は来ないかもしれません。 (kare wa konai kamoshiremasen.) - He might not come.
～はずです (~hazu desu): This expresses a strong expectation or belief based on reason or evidence. It means "should," "ought to," or "is supposed to."
- 彼は来るはずです。 (kare wa kuru hazu desu.) - He should come (based on prior arrangement or reason).
- この薬は効くはずです。 (kono kusuri wa kiku hazu desu.) - This medicine should work.
～んじゃないかと思います (~n ja nai ka to omoimasu): This is a more tentative way of expressing your opinion. It's similar to saying "I think maybe..." or "I have a feeling that..." in English. The casual form is ～んじゃないかと思う (~n ja nai ka to omou). The "n" sound is a contraction of "no".
- 明日は雨なんじゃないかと思います。(ashita wa ame nan ja nai ka to omoimasu.) - I think maybe it will rain tomorrow.
- 彼は疲れているんじゃないかと思います。(kare wa tsukareteiru n ja nai ka to omoimasu.) - I think maybe he's tired.
私としては (watashi toshite wa): This phrase is used to introduce your opinion, similar to "As for me..." or "From my perspective..."
- 私としては、この計画は良いと思います。(watashi toshite wa, kono keikaku wa yoi to omoimasu.) - As for me, I think this plan is good.

Practice

Let's put your understanding to the test.

Translate the following sentences into Japanese using ～と思います. (Click to reveal answers)

I think that book is interesting.
- Answer: その本は面白いと思います。 (sono hon wa omoshiroi to omoimasu.)
I don't think she is Japanese.
- Answer: 彼女は日本人じゃないと思います。(kanojo wa nihonjin ja nai to omoimasu.) or 彼女は日本人ではないと思います。(kanojo wa nihonjin dewa nai to omoimasu.)
I think he went home.
- Answer: 彼は家に帰ったと思います。(kare wa ie ni kaetta to omoimasu.)
I think it will be cold tonight.
- Answer: 今夜は寒いと思います。(konya wa samui to omoimasu.)
I think studying Japanese is difficult.
- Answer: 日本語を勉強することは難しいと思います。(Nihongo o benkyou suru koto wa muzukashii to omoimasu.)

Choose the most appropriate phrase to fill in the blank: 彼は忙しい（　）。 (Click to reveal answers)

1. と思う 2. でしょう 3. かもしれません 4. 全て正しい * Answer: 全て正しい (*Subete tadashii*) (All are correct). All options are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning with subtle differences in certainty.

Ask someone "What do you think about this restaurant?" using both polite and casual forms. (Click to reveal answers)

* Polite: このレストランについてどう思いますか。(*kono resutoran ni tsuite dou omoimasu ka.*) * Casual: このレストランについてどう思う？(*kono resutoran ni tsuite dou omou?*)

Try expressing your own opinions using ～と思います and the alternative expressions we covered with different verbs, adjectives, and nouns! The more you practice, the more comfortable and natural you'll become. Good luck!