「〜と思う」- Not just "I think"!

Hello, warriors on the path to conquering practical Japanese! 💪

I'm sure we all know by heart that: 「〜と 思おもいます」means "I think that...". Textbooks teach it that way, and it's not wrong. But if you've lived in Japan long enough, you'll realize that Japanese people use this phrase with "terrible" frequency, even in situations where they should be very certain.

Why is that? 🤔 Are Japanese people always hesitant, uncertain? Not really! The secret is that「〜と思う」is also a very powerful communication "spice".

In this article, we'll "dissect" its true power!

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More than just an assertion

In Japanese culture, stating something too directly, too confidently can sometimes be seen as imposing, immodest, or even rude.「〜と思う」is the "savior" to soften sentences, turning a sharp assertion into a gentle opinion.

1. Used to soften feedback, criticism 😌

This is the most important use! Instead of "pointing the finger" and saying someone is wrong, Japanese people add「〜と思う」to reduce the attack and maintain harmony.

• ❌ Direct (sounds very harsh):

  このやり方は間違っています。 (This way is wrong.)

• ✨ Soft (Standard Japanese):

  このやり方は間違っていると思います。 (I think... this way might not be quite right.)

Two sentences with the same meaning, but the nuance is a world of difference. The second sentence makes the other person feel respected and much more receptive.

2. Used to make indirect suggestions 👉

When you want to suggest someone do something, instead of using direct command or request structures like「〜てください」「〜ほうがいい」, Japanese people often "wrap" it with「〜と思う」.

• ❌ Direct (sounds like an order):

  もっと早く会社に来たほうがいいですよ。 (You should come to the office earlier.)

• ✨ Skillful:

  もっと早く会社に来たほうがいいと思います。 (I think... it would be better if you came to the office earlier.)

This way, you turn your advice from a "lecture" into a friendly "suggestion."

3. Used to avoid absolute assertions 🧐

Even when they know something is almost 100% true, Japanese people tend to use「〜と思う」to leave themselves a "way out." This shows modesty and avoids taking full responsibility if there's a mistake, no matter how small.

• Example: You see the weather forecast and it's definitely sunny tomorrow.
  • A Vietnamese person might say: 明日は晴れです。(Tomorrow is sunny.)
  • A Japanese person often says: 明日は晴れると思います。(I think it will be sunny tomorrow.)

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Conclusion

「〜と思う」is not just a grammatical pattern to express thoughts. It's a social communication tool, a "cushion" that makes all your interactions softer, more polite, and more Japanese.

Try "sprinkling" a little「〜と思う」into your daily conversations. You'll be surprised at the effect it has! 😉