How to Say ‘I think that...’ in Japanese
と思います
to omoi masu
[toh oh-moh-ee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [と思います] softens what you say into "I think..." or "I expect...," which is very common in Japanese. You can attach it to whole ideas: [大丈夫だと思います] "I think it's fine," [家族も喜ぶと思います] "I think my family will be pleased."
Phrase Breakdown
と
to
[toh]
that; quotation marker
A particle used to mark quoted thoughts or statements before verbs like 思います.
静かな席がいいと伝えました。
I told them that a quiet seat would be good.
思い
omoi
[oh-moh-ee]
think
The stem of 思う, used to express thoughts or opinions.
その席が一番いいと思います。
I think that seat is the best.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
Makes the verb polite and appropriate for conversation with staff or customers.
七時なら間に合います。
If it’s seven o’clock, we can make it.
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