■ V-(よ)うと 思[おも]います / V-(よ)うと 思[おも]っています
Meaning: “I am thinking about [verb-ing]” / “I intend to [verb].”
Group 1 (u-verbs): Change the final “u” to the “o” + う
(e.g., 働[はたら]く(hataraku) → 働[はたら]こう(hatarako+う))
Group 2 (る-verbs): V-る + よう
(e.g., 見[み]る → 見[み]よう)
Group 3 (Irregular verbs):
する → しよう
来[く]る → 来[こ]よう
This expression is used to describe one’s future intentions, hopes, or plans.
V-(よ)うと 思[おも]います is for expressing a general intention or future hope.
V-(よ)うと 思[おも]っています is used when you have been thinking about or planning something for a while, indicating a more established or ongoing intention.
■ V-るために、~
Meaning: “In order to [verb], ~”
This expression is used to explain the purpose of an action or goal, indicating that one action is done in order to achieve another.
V-るために、 is followed by an activity or plan that will help achieve the stated goal.
It is typically used with volitional verbs that express a decision or action one can control.
■ V-て あげます
Meaning: “I will do [verb] for [someone] (to benefit them)”
This expression is used to indicate that you are doing something for someone with the intention that it will benefit them.
あげる expresses that you are giving or doing something for someone else.
It can be used when the action is beneficial to the receiver.
The receiver of the action is indicated with に.
The phrase is often used when talking about actions you are doing for someone, such as building a house for your parents: 両親[りょうしん]に 家[いえ]を 建[た]てて あげます (I am going to build a house for my parents).
When referring to someone in a superior position (e.g., a boss or teacher), it is more polite to avoid using あげる as it may sound rude. Instead, you might use さしあげる.
■ V-て もらいます
Meaning: “I receive [verb] from [someone] (for my benefit)”
V-て もらう expresses that you are receiving an action from someone that benefits you.
It is used when you are the receiver of an action, and it is beneficial to you.
The giver of the action is indicated with に.
The subject (the receiver) is typically implied, especially if it is 私[わたし] (I), but can be explicitly stated.
Common examples include 教[おし]えて もらう (have someone teach me), 助[たす]けて もらう (have someone help me), and 手伝[てつだ]って もらう (have someone assist me).
The verb もらう indicates that the action is received as a favor or benefit.
When the person performing the action is a superior, such as a boss or teacher, the more respectful form V-て いただきます is used to show politeness.
■ V-て くれます
Meaning: “Someone does [verb] for me (beneficial to me)”
V-て くれます expresses that someone does something for the speaker’s benefit.
It is often used when the speaker is grateful or acknowledges that the action benefits them.
The action is done by someone else for the speaker, and it is generally seen as a favor or benefit.
The person performing the action is the subject, and the speaker ( 私[わたし] I ) is the receiver of the action.
The receiver (speaker) is often implied and not explicitly stated, as it is understood.
Common phrases include:
教[おし]えて くれる (teach me),
助[たす]けて くれる (help me),
手伝[てつだ]ってくれる (assist me).
The casual form V-て くれる? is used to make informal requests, such as 教[おし]えて くれる? (Can you teach me?).