“To think” in Japanese is 思う (おもう), pronounced omou.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To think or feel. 〜と思います softens opinions: “I think…”.
Example sentences
- いいと思います。いいとおもいます。I think it’s good.
- 明日は雨だと思います。あしたはあめだとおもいます。I think it will rain tomorrow.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 思う. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 思う おもう | think |
| Polite present | 思います おもいます | think |
| Polite negative | 思いません おもいません | don’t think |
| Polite past | 思いました おもいました | past of “think” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 思わない おもわない | don’t think (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 思った おもった | past of “think” (casual) |
| て-form | 思って おもって | think and… / please think (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 思いたい おもいたい | want to think |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to think in Japanese?
To think in Japanese is 思う (おもう), pronounced “omou”.
How do you write to think in Japanese?
It's written 思う with kanji, or おもう in hiragana. Both are read omou.
Is 思う on the JLPT?
Yes. 思う (omou) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.