思う often expresses an impression, belief, or feeling; 考える often emphasizes deliberate thought. いいと思う can present a personal opinion, while いいと考える can present it as a considered view. They overlap, and neither word alone fixes how long the thought lasted. 思っている and 考えている describe thoughts or consideration held or continuing in context.
also written omou / kangaeru / 思います / 考えています
思う — to think, feel or believe · 考える — to consider or think something through
Sentences
6 sentences, word by word
と思う · offering an opinion
polite
。
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その
その
that
demonstrative · the idea the other person just raised
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考え
かんがえ ［3］
idea
noun from 考える · what the process of thinking produces
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は
は
as for — the topic
particle · written は, read わ
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いい
いい
good
い-adjective · irregular, so the past is よかった not いかった
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と
と
that — quoting
particle · marking the clause as the content of the thought
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思います
おもいます
I think
polite of 思う · a held view, offered as an opinion
と思うN4I think that…
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I think that idea is good.
考える · doing the work
polite
。
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将来
しょうらい ［1］
the future
noun · the future; here, the speaker’s future plans
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について
について
about
expression · the topic the thinking is being done on
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考えています
かんがえています
am thinking
ています of 考える · here, ongoing consideration
考えるN4to work out
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I'm thinking about my future.
考えています · the polite deferral
polite
。
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まだ
まだ
still
adverb · the thinking has not finished, which is the point
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考えています
かんがえています
am thinking about it
ています of 考える · saying the work is under way, not that you have decided
考えていますN4I'm considering it
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I'm still thinking it over.
思っています · a view held for a while
polite
。
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ずっと
ずっと
all along
adverb · a stretch of time with no break in it
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そう
そう
so; that way
adverb · standing in for the view already mentioned
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思っています
おもっています
have thought
ています of 思う · here, a view held over time
思っているN4hold the view
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I've thought so for a long time.
考える · a problem to work on
polite
。
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この
この
this
demonstrative · the problem in front of you both
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問題
もんだい ［0］
problem
noun · a problem or a question, depending on context
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の
の
of; linking nouns
particle · links the problem to its solution method
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解決
かいけつ ［0］
solution
noun · combines with 方法 to mean a method of solving the problem
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方法
ほうほう ［0］
method
noun · the way of doing it, which is what gets worked out
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を
を
marks the direct object
particle · pronounced お
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考えましょう
かんがえましょう
let's think about
volitional polite of 考える · proposing the work be done together
考えるN4to work out
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Let's think about how to solve this problem.
と思う · softening a statement
polite
。
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明日
あした ［3］
tomorrow
noun · read あした in speech, あす in formal announcements
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雨
あめ ［1］
rain
noun · 雨が降る is the set phrase
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が
が
marks the subject
particle · what the sentence is about — with 好き, 分かる and potentials, the object
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降る
ふる ［1］
to fall (rain, snow)
godan verb · used here for rain falling
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と
と
that — quoting
particle · marking the prediction as the content of the thought
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思います
おもいます
I think
polite of 思う · softening a prediction into an opinion
と思うN4I think that…
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I think it'll rain tomorrow.
Structure
How each one is used
plain clause ＋ と＋思う
いいと思います. Put a plain clause before と; present affirmative nouns and な-adjectives keep だ, as in 学生だと思います.
考え＋ています
検討しています alongside it. The progressive says the thinking is under way, which is why it sounds considered.
思っ＋ています
Used for a view you have held for a while, and for reporting someone else's view — 彼はそう思っています.
Topic ＋ について＋考える
将来について考える. This pattern names the topic being considered. 思う can also take an object, as in 故郷を思う.
Meaning
思う vs 考える vs 感じる
思う and 考える overlap, but emphasize different kinds of thought. 思う often presents an impression, belief or feeling; 考える often emphasizes deliberate consideration. These are tendencies, not an absolute state-versus-activity rule.
と思う is common for opinions. いいと思います offers a personal judgement. いいと考えます can present the same judgement as a considered position; it is possible in conversation as well as formal writing.
考えています can leave a decision open. まだ考えています means the matter is still under consideration. 思っています usually needs context identifying the belief or intention being held.
感じる emphasizes a sensation or impression. 寒いと感じる describes feeling cold; 寒いと思う presents that perception as a thought or judgement. Context can make their meanings close.
Watch out
Where these two go wrong
Treating 考える as wrong for opinions
と思う is a common choice for a personal view. と考える can also express a view, often with an emphasis on consideration or reasoning.
Confusing consideration with a held view
まだ考えています says you are still considering something. そう思っています says you hold the view just mentioned. With a volitional verb, 行こうと思っています expresses an intention.
Leaving out the quotation marker
Use いいと思います for “I think it is good.” The と marks the content of the thought. In casual speech, って can serve as the quotation marker.
Whose thought is being reported?
彼女はそう思っています reports her view. 彼は嬉しいと思う normally presents the speaker’s judgement that he is happy. Identify who holds the view rather than treating every は-topic as the thinker.
Also asked
Questions people ask about 思う and 考える
Is there a quick test for which one to use?
For a personal impression or belief, try 思う. For considering options or solving a problem, try 考える. Context matters; neither rule covers every use.
Does 考えています mean no?
It means “I am considering it.” It can postpone a decision, but the words alone do not establish a refusal. The situation and any follow-up determine that.
What is the difference between 考え and 思い?
考え can name thinking or a conclusion, idea or plan. 思い can name a thought, feeling, wish or affection. Their meanings overlap, so choose according to the expression and context.
Can 思う be used for someone else?
In an ordinary statement about another person’s current view, use 思っている, as in 彼女はそう思っている. Bare と思う usually presents the speaker’s view; questions such as どう思いますか ask for the listener’s view.
References
Sources and usage notes
NINJAL: 思う and 考える — Explains emotional, momentary and deliberate, sustained thought as tendencies, with contextual examples.
Japan Foundation: とおもいます — Covers opinions, predictions, questions and the ordinary person restrictions of と思います.
