Japanese for Elementary Learners: Expressing Career Aspirations and Future Plans
Learn to say what you want to become and share future work plans in Japanese using 〜たいです, 〜つもりです, and 〜を目指しています.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about your career aspirations and future work plans in Japanese. You will practice saying what you want to become, such as 'I want to be a doctor,' and how to express your intention to aim for a promotion. We will focus on three key patterns: 〜たいです (want to do), 〜つもりです (intend to do), and 〜を目指しています (aiming for). These are essential for discussing your future in professional contexts. By the end, you will be able to share your ambitions clearly and politely.
By the end, you can…
- say what profession I want to become using 〜たいです.
- express my intention to achieve a work-related goal using 〜つもりです.
- state that I am aiming for a promotion or a specific role using 〜を目指しています.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
医者になりたいです。
I want to be a doctor.
Isha ni naritai desu.
Use に after the profession and なりたいです to express desire to become. Polite and common.
将来、看護師になりたいです。
In the future, I want to be a nurse.
Shōrai, kangoshi ni naritai desu.
Adding 将来 (in the future) clarifies that this is a long-term aspiration.
昇進を目指しています。
I am aiming for a promotion.
Shōshin o mezashite imasu.
Use を目指しています to express an ongoing effort toward a goal. Appropriate for professional contexts.
来年、転職するつもりです。
I intend to change jobs next year.
Rainen, tenshoku suru tsumori desu.
〜つもりです expresses a firm intention. Use with a future time expression like 来年.
エンジニアになるために勉強しています。
I am studying in order to become an engineer.
Enjinia ni naru tame ni benkyō shite imasu.
〜ために means 'in order to.' Use it to explain the purpose behind your actions.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express what you want to become, use: [profession] + に + なりたいです。 For example, 先生になりたいです (I want to be a teacher). To express an intention to do something, use: [verb dictionary form] + つもりです。 For example, 留学するつもりです (I intend to study abroad). To express aiming for a goal, use: [noun] + を目指しています。 For example, 資格を目指しています (I am aiming for a qualification). These patterns are essential for discussing future work.
When to use it
Use 〜たいです when you want to express a personal desire, such as 医者になりたいです (I want to be a doctor). Use 〜つもりです when you have a concrete plan or intention, like 来年、起業するつもりです (I intend to start a business next year). Use 〜を目指しています when you are actively working toward a goal, such as マネージャーを目指しています (I am aiming to be a manager). In formal situations, 〜を目指しています is more appropriate than 〜たいです for career goals.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
将来、何になりたいですか。
What do you want to be in the future?Shōrai, nani ni naritai desu ka.医者になりたいです。そのために、医学部で勉強しています。
I want to be a doctor. For that, I am studying at medical school.Isha ni naritai desu. Sono tame ni, igakubu de benkyō shite imasu.すごいですね。私は昇進を目指しています。
That's great. I am aiming for a promotion.Sugoi desu ne. Watashi wa shōshin o mezashite imasu.いいですね。お互い頑張りましょう。
That's nice. Let's both do our best.Ii desu ne. Otagai ganbarimashō.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese professional settings, expressing ambition should be done with humility. Using 〜を目指しています is more appropriate than 〜たいです for career goals, as it shows ongoing effort. When discussing future plans, it's common to use softeners like 〜と思っています (I'm thinking) to avoid sounding too assertive. For example, 転職しようと思っています (I'm thinking of changing jobs). Also, avoid boasting; instead, emphasize effort and contribution.
One thing to watch for
Using 〜たいです for career goals in formal contexts, e.g., 課長になりたいです (I want to be a manager).
Try this instead: In formal situations, use 〜を目指しています to sound more professional and humble: 課長を目指しています (I am aiming to be a manager). This shows you are actively working toward the goal rather than just desiring it.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I want to be a teacher' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
先生になりたいです。
This uses the pattern [profession] + に + なりたいです. 先生 means teacher. Other professions can be substituted, e.g., 看護師になりたいです.
2Express 'I intend to study abroad next year' using 〜つもりです.
Show a sample answer
来年、留学するつもりです。
来年 means next year, 留学する is the dictionary form of 'study abroad,' and つもりです expresses intention. You could also say 来年、留学しようと思っています for a softer tone.
3How do you say 'I am aiming for a promotion' formally?
Show a sample answer
昇進を目指しています。
昇進 means promotion, and を目指しています means 'am aiming for.' This is appropriate for professional contexts. In casual conversation, you might say 昇進したいです.
Use 〜たいです for personal desires, 〜つもりです for intentions, and 〜を目指しています for professional goals. In formal settings, prefer 〜を目指しています to sound humble and determined.
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