I'm called and I think -- the same?


From my newbie understanding, isn't "I think" and "I'm called" which is "My
name is", the same phrase?

[code]

    .... to moushimasu -> ... I think
    Bill to moushimasu -> I'm called or my name is Bill
    
[/code]

Or did I get it wrong?




～と[思]{おも}います (to omoimasu) <-- I think

～と[申]{もう}します (to moushimasu) <-- I'm called

These just sound really similar because they are same letters/sounds.




"と申します" (to moushimasu) is a more formal way to say "と言う" (to iu), which both
mean "to say". As you say "name + to moushimasu" is one way to introduce
yourself.

Keep in mind while this can translate to the English phrase "I'm called ~", it
doesn't literally mean that. "と呼ばれる" (to yobareru) would be a closer literal
match for that, though not commonly used for introducing yourself.

Another way to introduce yourself is "name + desu", where "desu" just means
"is". But the "と申します" I think is the safest option.

There are several ways to say "I think", but one of the more common ones is
"と思います" (to omoimasu), which does sound a little like "to moushimasu", which
maybe is why you confused the two.

