~tsumori (intention)

The Core Difference: Mindset vs. Objective Fact

In English, when you say "I will go," you're often stating an objective plan or a near-certain prediction. Japanese speakers, however, distinguish between what you intend to do and what will actually happen. The form ~つもり captures this intentional, mental layer—it literally means "with the intention of" or "planning to." This is why English speakers find it confusing: English doesn't grammatically force this distinction. You might say "I'm going to the store," but Japanese speakers ask: *Are you definitely going, or just planning/intending to?*

Why This Matters in Japanese Culture and Language

Japanese places strong emphasis on inner intention vs. outer reality. This reflects a cultural value: acknowledging uncertainty and humility. By using ~つもり, you're not claiming absolute certainty—you're sharing your current intention or plan. It's polite, honest, and realistic. Compare these two Japanese sentences:
- 明日は行きます。(I will go tomorrow.) — sounds definite, almost like a promise
- 明日は行くつもりです。(I intend to go tomorrow.) — acknowledges your plan, but admits life happens

How to Use It

~つもり attaches to the plain form of verbs (or noun + で, like 医者として = as a doctor) and means "with the intention/plan to [do that action]." You can also use it to express what someone else's intention was: 彼はその仕事を受けるつもりだったが、断った。(He *intended* to accept the job, but declined.) This past-tense use shows the mental plan at that moment, not what happened.

The Psychological Layer

English lacks this grammatical distinction, so English learners often overstate certainty. Japanese makes you articulate: "This is what I'm planning, but I'm human and things change." It's a small feature with big cultural roots.