つもりだintend to; going to
つもり says you have made up your mind: what you are going to do, or not going to do. It is for a plan you already have, not one you make on the spot.
I intend to study abroad in Japan next year.
I intend not to tell anyone about this.
How to form it
Verb dictionary form + つもりだ
行く → 行くつもりです. The verb stays plain and です comes once, at the end: not 行きますつもり, and not 行こうつもり.
Not going to
Verb ない-form + つもりだ
行かない → 行かないつもりです.
A plan you already have
Next year, this summer, tonight: something you decided before now. English says "I'm going to" or "I intend to". "I'm planning to" is つもり too, as long as nothing is booked.
After graduating from college, I intend to work at my father's company.
I intend to get up at six tomorrow.
to a friend
What are you planning to do over summer vacation?
Not for a decision made on the spot
When you decide as you speak, it is plain ます.
We're out of milk, aren't we?
Then I'll go and buy some.
Not said: じゃ、
(Then I'll go and buy some.)
This would mean you had been planning to go all along.
Not going to: two ways
I do not intend to participate this time.
You have decided not to.
I have no intention of participating this time.
Stronger. The idea is ruled out.
つもりだった: meant to, but…
In the past, つもりだった or つもりでした, it usually comes with a "but": you meant to, and something got in the way.
I intended to go to Hokkaido last summer, but work prevented me from going.
Asking, and other people's plans
どうするつもり？ is fine with a friend. To someone you speak politely to, つもりですか can sound as if you are questioning their decision, so people ask with plain ますか.
Do you intend to go to tomorrow's party too, Tanaka-san?
Can sound like a challenge.
Are you going to tomorrow's party too, Tanaka-san?
The ordinary question.
About someone else, people usually say how they know.
Misaki said that she intends to study abroad next year.
Close neighbours
たいN5
A wish, which may never happen. With つもり you have decided to do it.
I want to go to Hokkaido during summer vacation.
ようと思っているN4
"I'm thinking of": in mind for a while, and less firm. It is also the softer way to tell someone a plan.
I have been thinking of moving to this town for some time.
予定だN4
A plan fixed on a calendar, often by other people. Events and schedules take 予定, since they can't intend anything.
The information session is scheduled to begin at ten in the morning.
ことにするN4
ことにしました reports the deciding. つもりです says what you now intend. After 留学することにしました you can say 留学するつもりです for as long as the plan stands.
I've decided to study abroad next year.
たつもりN3
After a past form it is not a plan. It is what you believed you had done.
I thought I had locked the door, but when I looked in the morning it was open.
Check yourself
1"I'm planning to buy a car next year."
来年、
Choose an answer to see why.
2A colleague tells you the last bus has gone. You decide then and there to walk home. What do you say?
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
そのつもりです
As an answer, そのつもりです is "that's the plan".
Will you be in Japan next year too?
Yes, that's the plan.
A plan, not a promise
行くつもりです says what you have in mind and leaves room for change. When someone needs a firm answer, people say 行きます.
More sentences
I intend to move to this town next month.
For my health, I intend not to eat sweets for a while.
I do not intend to go out again today.
I do not intend to look for a new job for a while.
I meant to go to bed early yesterday, but some urgent work came up.