思う often presents a thought or feeling; 考える highlights the process of considering something.

The idea

Use a plain clause plus と before 思います to express an opinion, as in 面白いと思います. With 考えます, mark a topic or solution with を, or use a question such as 何をするか to describe what you are working out.

Patterns to compare
ExpressionPattern
思おもう面白おもしろいと思おもいます
考かんがえる方法ほうほうを考かんがえます

Examples

  • この映画えいがは面白おもしろいと思おもいます。I think this film is interesting.
  • 家族かぞくに会あいたいと思おもいました。I thought I wanted to see my family.
  • 問題もんだいの解決かいけつ方法ほうほうをよく考かんがえます。I will think carefully about the solution to the problem.
  • 明日あした何なにをするか考かんがえています。We are considering what to do tomorrow.
  • 明日あしたは雨あめが降ふると思おもいます。I think it will rain tomorrow.
  • 相手あいての気持きもちも考かんがえてください。Please think about the other person's feelings too.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Both can translate as “think”, and 考える can also express a considered opinion. The distinction is emphasis, not an absolute division: context decides whether a belief or deliberation is foregrounded.

Try it yourself

  1. この映画えいがは面白おもしろいと＿＿。（思おもいます／考かんがえます）

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    思います

    思います presents the judgment that the film is interesting.

  2. 解決かいけつ方法ほうほうをよく＿＿。（思おもいます／考かんがえます）

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    考えます

    考えます fits deliberate thought about a solution, reinforced by よく.

  3. 明日あした何なにをするか＿＿います。（思おもって／考かんがえて）

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    考えて

    考えて completes 考えています: the question is being considered.

Use it today

Give an opinion about a film, then describe a problem you will think through.