とおもう

おもう is the verb 'to think' in Japanese. It has a different connotation than the verb かんがえる which means 'to think about'. おもう is more subjective and emotional. It is often used with worries, hopes, and assumptions. かんがえる is most often used for logical and objective opinions.

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We can use this verb with other verbs, adjectives and nouns, and it will require a different structure for each.

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Verb + とおもう (does not work with the ます-form)

Adjective い + とおもう

Adjective な (without ) + だとおもう

Noun + だとおもう

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The kanji for おもう is 思う.

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大学に入学すると思います。

Daigaku ni nyuugaku suru to omoimasu.

I think I will enroll in university.

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悪い物を食べたと思うの。。。

Warui mono o tabeta to omou no...

I think I ate something bad...

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この猫がかわいいと思いますよ。

Kono neko ga kawaii to omoimasu yo.

I think this cat is cute.

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です can never be used to replace だ in this case. です is always at the end of a sentence. The particle と here serves to quote what we think. 

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この場所はずいぶんしずかだと思う。

Kono basho wa zuibun shizuka da to omou.

I think this place is quiet enough.

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さくらだと思った。

Sakura da to omotta.

I thought it was Sakura.

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〜ないとおもう

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In English, it is more natural to say things like 'I don't think this is...' But in Japanese, it is more natural to say 'I think this is not...' That is why you will see tis construction to say 'I don't think', 〜ないとおもう.

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レストランに行けないと思う。

Resutoran ni ikenai to omou.

I don't think I can go to the restaurant.

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ひこうきじゃないと思います。

Hikouki janai to omoimasu.

I don't think this is a plane.

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むずかしくないと思う。

Muzukashikunai to omou.

I don't think it is difficult.

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おもわない

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In that case, when should we use the negative form of the verb 思う? We can actually use it in sentences like 'don't you think this is...?'

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かわいいと思わないか？

Kawaii to omowanai ka?

Don't you think it is cute?

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ちょっと高すぎると思いませんか？

Chotto takasugiru to omoimasen ka?

Don't you think it is a little bit too expensive?

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The expression おもったんだけどさ

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This expression means 'so, I was thinking' to introduce an idea. 

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思ったんだけどさ、たぶん新しい車を買った方がいいかもしれない。

Omottanda kedo sa, tabun atarashii kuruma o katta hou ga ii kamoshirenai.

So, I was thinking, maybe we should buy a new car.

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Difference between におもう and とおもう

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It is possible to find the particle に instead of と with 思う. In that case, there will be a difference.

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・(〜が) 〜だと思う: it indicates that we think something is a certain way.

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・(〜を) 〜に思う: it indicates how we think or feel about a certain aspect or opinion (towards something, as the use of に demonstrate a directional aspect).

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この町が懐かしいと思います。

Kono machi ga natsukashii to omoimasu.

I think this town is nostalgic.

この町を懐かしいに思います。

Kono machi o natsukashii ni omoimasu.

I feel nostalgic about this town.

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〜ようと思う

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The expression 〜ようと思う indicates that you are planning something. It uses the volition form of verbs, like 〜ようとする.

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日本に入学しようと思っている。

Nihon ni nyuugaku shiyou to omotteiru.

I am thinking of studying abroad in Japan.

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This form can be used for ourselves and for other people.

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彼は外国で働こうと思っている。

Kare wa gaikoku de hatarakou to omotteiru.

He is thinking of working in a foreign country.

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In the negative, it means that we have no intention of doing something. This form will be used mainly for ourselves.

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入学しようと思わない。

Nyuugaku shiyou to omowanai.

I don't have the intention of studying abroad.