Common Japanese Mistake: おもう (omou) vs かんがえる (kangaeru) — Feel vs Think

Both Mean “Think” — but Differently

Both おもう and かんがえる translate to “think” in English, which causes learners to use them interchangeably. But they describe very different mental processes.

The Core Distinction

おもう: Opinions and Feelings

• 「これはおいしいとおもいます。」— I think this is delicious. (opinion/impression)
• 「かれはくるとおもいます。」— I think he’ll come. (expectation/belief)
• 「かわいいとおもった！」— I thought it was cute! (emotional reaction)

Pattern: 〜とおもう (quote + おもう) is the standard way to express opinions.

かんがえる: Deliberate Thought

• 「りゅうがくについてかんがえています。」— I’m thinking about studying abroad. (deliberating)
• 「もっとよくかんがえてからきめます。」— I’ll decide after thinking it over more carefully.
• 「この問題をいっしょにかんがえましょう。」— Let’s think through this problem together.

Common Mistakes

〜とおもう Grammar Note

When reporting what you think, use the plain form + と + おもう:

• 「きょうはあめだとおもいます。」— I think it will rain today.
• 「かれはがくせいだとおもいました。」— I thought he was a student.

Quick Drill

1. Expressing an impression: “I think Japanese is interesting” → ___
2. Deliberating: “I’m thinking about what to do” → ___

Answers: 1. にほんごはおもしろいとおもいます / 2. どうするかかんがえています

Yuka Learns When to Think with おもう vs かんがえる

Mistakes feel embarrassing in the moment but they are the fastest way to learn. Watch how Yuka makes a natural error — and how Rei explains the rule clearly enough to prevent it from happening again.

Yuka

Rei, I said 解決策をおもっています — is that natural?

Rei

Not quite. おもう expresses feelings, impressions, and beliefs — things that arise in your heart. かんがえる is active, deliberate thinking — working through a problem. So: 解決策をかんがえています — I’m thinking through a solution.

Yuka

When would おもう be natural?

Rei

おもう works for opinions and feelings: これは正しいとおもいます — I think/believe this is correct. さびしいとおもいました — I felt lonely (it welled up). It’s the verb of gut feeling, not reasoning.

Yuka

So おもう is more emotional and かんがえる is more rational?

Rei

Exactly. おもう = ‘feel that’ / ‘believe that.’ かんがえる = ‘reason through’ / ‘work out.’ In expressions of opinion: always おもう. When solving a problem or planning: always かんがえる. And 〜とおもいます is essential for politely softening your opinion — use it constantly.

5 Correct Sentences — Read These Aloud

Each sentence demonstrates the correct usage from this article. Say them aloud to lock in the right pattern.

1. あした雨がふるとおもいます。
   I think it will rain tomorrow. (おもう, opinion)
2. このもんだいについてかんがえています。
   I’m thinking about this problem. (かんがえる, deliberate)
3. その映画はおもしろいとおもいました。
   I thought that movie was interesting.
4. どうすればいいかかんがえてみます。
   I’ll try to think through what to do.
5. もっとよくかんがえてから、けっていします。
   I’ll decide after thinking it through more carefully.

Your Turn! Correct the Mistake in the Comments

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