How to Use the Japanese Future Tense in Daily Conversations

Ever found yourself wondering how to tell someone about your plans for tomorrow in Japanese? You might have heard that Japanese doesn’t have a future tense like English does – and that’s partially true! But don’t worry, expressing future actions in Japanese is actually quite straightforward once you understand the basics.

In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways to express the Japanese future tense through context, time words, and special grammatical constructions. By the end, you’ll be confidently talking about your future plans in natural-sounding Japanese!

Does Japanese Have a Future Tense?

The short answer: The Japanese future tense isn’t a distinct conjugation like in English, but Japanese has multiple ways to express future actions.

In Japanese, the present tense form of verbs can also function as the future tense depending on the context. This might seem confusing at first, but it’s actually quite practical once you get used to it.

Methods to Express Future in Japanese

1. Using Context to Imply Future Actions

One of the simplest ways to express the Japanese future tense is through context. The present tense form of verbs can often indicate future actions when the surrounding context makes the time frame clear.

For example:

Formal:

このシャツを買います。
Kono shatsu wo kaimasu.
I’ll buy this shirt.

Informal:

このシャツを買う。
Kono shatsu wo kau.
I’ll buy this shirt.

In these examples, the verb 買う (kau – to buy) is in its present form, but it’s understood to be referring to a future action based on the context.

Here’s another example that clearly implies future action:

大学を卒業したら、日本で働きます。
Daigaku wo sotsugyou shitara, Nihon de hatarakimasu.
After I graduate from university, I’ll work in Japan.

The context of “after graduating” places the action of working in the future.

2. Adding Time Words to Specify Future

The easiest and most straightforward way to express the Japanese future tense is by adding time-related words. These words make it clear that you’re talking about the future.

Common future time expressions include:

• 明日 (ashita) – tomorrow
• 来週 (raishū) – next week
• 来月 (raigetsu) – next month
• 来年 (rainen) – next year
• ～後で (～ato de) – after ~

Examples:

明日、友達に会います。
Ashita, tomodachi ni aimasu.
I’ll meet my friend tomorrow.

来週、新しい仕事を始めます。
Raishū, atarashii shigoto wo hajimemasu.
I’ll start a new job next week.

As you can see from these examples, you’re still using the present tense form of the verb, but the time word makes it clear that you’re talking about the future.

3. Using に + Verb Construction

To express intention or purpose for a future action, Japanese uses a special construction with the particle に. This is formed by:

[Verb stem + に] + [motion verb]

For example:

本を買いに行きます。
Hon wo kai ni ikimasu.
I’ll go to buy books.

友達に会いに来ます。
Tomodachi ni ai ni kimasu.
I’ll come to meet friends.

This construction clearly indicates that the action is set to happen in the future.

4. Expressing Plans with つもり

When you want to express your plans or intentions for the future, つもり (tsumori) is extremely useful. It’s similar to saying “I plan to…” or “I intend to…” in English.

Formal:

週末に海へ行くつもりです。
Shūmatsu ni umi e iku tsumori desu.
I plan to go to the beach on the weekend.

Informal:

週末に海へ行くつもり。
Shūmatsu ni umi e iku tsumori.
I plan to go to the beach on the weekend.

Remember to use the plain form of the verb (not the -masu form) before つもり.

Polite vs. Casual Future Expressions

As with most aspects of Japanese grammar, expressing the Japanese future tense comes with formal and informal options. Here’s a quick comparison:

For beginners, it’s safer to stick with the formal style until you become more comfortable with the language and understand the social contexts better.

Tips for Mastering Japanese Future Expressions

1. Practice with real conversations – Hearing how native speakers use these forms will help you internalize them better than textbook studying alone.
2. Pay attention to context – Since Japanese relies heavily on context, train yourself to notice the subtle cues that indicate future time.
3. Use time markers generously – When in doubt, add a time word to clarify that you’re talking about the future.
4. Build on what you know – If you’ve already learned how to say “I don’t understand” in Japanese, you can extend that to future situations: “明日、もっと分かるようになるつもりです” (Tomorrow, I plan to understand more).

If you’re looking to expand your Japanese language skills beyond tenses, check out our learn Japanese page for free guides that can help you master essential expressions and grammar points.

Common Mistakes When Using Japanese Future Tense

1. Using the wrong verb form with つもり
   ❌ 買いますつもりです (kaimasu tsumori desu)
   ✅ 買うつもりです (kau tsumori desu)
2. Forgetting that present tense can express future
   Many beginners try to find a special future conjugation when the present form already works.
3. Using past tense in the に construction
   ❌ 映画を見たに行きます (eiga wo mita ni ikimasu)
   ✅ 映画を見に行きます (eiga wo mi ni ikimasu)

Beyond Basics: Expressing Probability in the Future

For more advanced learners, you can also express probability about future events using:

明日は雨が降るでしょう。
Ashita wa ame ga furu deshou.
It will probably rain tomorrow.

The suffix でしょう (deshou) adds a sense of likelihood or probability to the future statement.

Putting It All Together

Understanding how to express the Japanese future tense is crucial for everyday communication. Unlike English, Japanese doesn’t have a separate future tense conjugation, but context, time words, and special grammatical constructions make it easy to talk about future events.

Whether you’re planning a trip, making promises, or discussing your ambitions, these methods will help you express your future-oriented thoughts clearly in Japanese.

For more insights into Japanese expressions, check out our guide on different ways to say “Which one?” in Japanese and enhance your question-asking abilities.

FAQ: Common Questions About Japanese Future Tense

Does Japanese have a future tense?

No, Japanese doesn’t have a distinct future tense conjugation like English, but uses present tense forms with context, time words, or special constructions to express future actions.

How do you say “I will” in Japanese?

There’s no direct equivalent, but adding future time words with present tense verbs (like 明日行きます – “I will go tomorrow”) or using つもり (明日行くつもりです – “I plan to go tomorrow”) achieves this meaning.

Can the present tense in Japanese refer to the future?

Yes, the Japanese present tense can refer to future actions when the context makes the timeframe clear.

What’s the difference between using time words and つもり for future?

Time words simply place an action in the future, while つもり specifically indicates your intention or plan to do something.

How do I express “going to” do something in Japanese?

The に construction (買いに行く – “going to buy”) or つもり (買うつもりです – “planning to buy”) both work well for expressing “going to” do something.

Start practicing these Japanese future tense expressions today, and you’ll soon find yourself naturally talking about your plans, intentions, and predictions in Japanese!