つもりだ

The structure つもりだ is used to express a plan or intention to do something. It conveys the speaker's personal resolve or decision about a future action. It attaches to the plain form of a verb.

Positive intention: V[plain] + つもりだ

Use the dictionary form of a verb before つもりだ to express what you plan to do.

Negative intention: V[ない] + つもりだ

Use the negative plain form before つもりだ to express what you do not intend to do.

You can also negate つもりだ itself as V[plain] + つもりはない, which more strongly denies any intention.

Past intention: V[plain] + つもりだった

To express what you had planned to do (but may not have done), change だ to だった.

Important nuances

• つもりだ expresses the speaker's own intention. When asking about someone else's plans, use a question form:
  しゅうまつ週末はなん何をするつもりですか。

  What do you plan to do on the weekend?
• It is generally not used to state a third person's intentions as fact. For that, consider using 〜～よてい予定だ or 〜～といっていた言っていた.
• つもりだ implies a firm personal decision, stronger than simply saying 〜～たい (want to). Compare: いきたい行きたい (I want to go) vs. いく行くつもりだ (I plan/intend to go).