日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

~と存じます

~ to zonjimasu

I believe/think (humble)

When to use it

Use ~と存じます in place of ~と思います when voicing your own opinion, assumption, or expectation toward a client or superior — above all in email, written reports, and formal meetings. 存じる is the humble (謙譲) verb for both 思う and 知る, so it lowers you, never the listener: don't use it about the other party's thoughts. The softened variants ~かと存じます and ~ものと存じます are the everyday workhorses of business correspondence.

Formation

  • Verb: plain form (dict / た / ている / ない) + と存じます → 届いていると存じます、間に合わないと存じます
  • i-adjective: plain form + と存じます → お忙しいと存じます
  • na-adjective: 〜だ + と存じます → 可能だと存じます
  • Noun: 〜だ + と存じます → 来週だと存じます
  • Common hedged variants: 〜かと存じます (a shade less assertive), 〜ものと存じます / 〜ことと存じます (formulaic assumption, esp. openings like ご多忙のことと存じますが)
  • Note: 存じております is the humble form of 知っている ("I am aware"), distinct from opinion-marking と存じます.

Examples

  • I appreciate that you are busy, but please confirm.

  • I believe the materials have already reached you.

  • I trust you will be satisfied with the pricing.

  • I expect a conclusion will be reached within next week.

  • I don't think the other party will accept these terms.