Volitional Form (よう / しよう)
Learning Objectives
- Form the Volitional Form for Group 1, Group 2, and Irregular verbs.
- Use the Volitional Form as the casual equivalent of 〜ましょう (let's).
- Express personal intentions using 〜ようと思う.
- Describe attempting an action using 〜ようとする.
In N5, you learned to invite someone or suggest an action politely using 〜ましょう (Let’s). But how do you say “Let’s go!” to your close friends? Or how do you express a strong internal intention to do something? The answer is the Volitional Form (意向形 - ikoukei). It is one of the most expressive verb forms in Japanese.
1. Conjugating the Volitional Form
Conjugating into the volitional form follows simple rules depending on the verb group.
Group 1 (U-Verbs)
Drop the final 〜u sound and change it to the 〜ou sound. In hiragana terms, change the U-row character to the O-row character, and add う.
- 行く (iku) ➔ 行こう (ikou)
- 飲む (nomu) ➔ 飲もう (nomou)
- 会う (au) ➔ 会おう (aou)
Group 2 (Ru-Verbs)
Drop the る and add よう.
- 食べる (taberu) ➔ 食べよう (tabeyou)
- 見る (miru) ➔ 見よう (miyou)
Group 3 (Irregular Verbs)
- する (suru) ➔ しよう (shiyou)
- 来る (kuru) ➔ 来よう (koyou)
今日から毎日運動しよう。
kyou kara mainichi undou shiyou.
Let's (or 'I shall') exercise every day starting today.
今夜は早く寝よう。
kon-ya wa hayaku neyou.
Let's go to bed early tonight.
明日もまたここに来よう。
ashita mo mata koko ni koyou.
Let's come here again tomorrow.
2. Casual Invitations (Let’s!)
The most basic use of the plain volitional form is as the casual equivalent of polite 〜ましょう. You use this with close friends, family, or people of lower status.
明日、映画を見よう！
ashita, eiga o miyou!
Let's watch a movie tomorrow!
疲れたから、少し休もう。
tsukareta kara, sukoshi yasumou.
I'm tired, so let's rest a bit.
お腹が空いたね。何か食べよう。
onaka ga suita ne. Nani ka tabeyou.
We're hungry, aren't we? Let's eat something.
[!NOTE] If you add
かto the end (〜ようか), it becomes slightly softer: “Shall we?” Example:手伝おうか？(Shall I help?).
3. Expressing Intention: 〜ようと思う
When you want to state a clear intention or plan to do something, you attach と思う (I think) to the volitional form.
- 〜ようと思う: I think I will… (A decision made just now, or a soft statement).
- 〜ようと思っている: I am thinking I will… (A decision made in the past that you are holding onto).
来年、日本へ行こうと思っています。
rainen, nihon e ikou to omotte imasu.
I am planning/thinking of going to Japan next year.
今日は早く寝ようと思います。
kyou wa hayaku neyou to omoimasu.
I think I will go to bed early today.
卒業したら、先生になろうと思っています。
sotsugyou shitara, sensei ni narou to omotte imasu.
After graduating, I'm thinking of becoming a teacher.
4. Attempting an Action: 〜ようとする
When you try to do something, or are just about to do something, you use the volitional form followed by とする.
If you use 〜ようとした (past tense), it often implies you tried to do it, but failed or were interrupted.
電車に乗ろうとした時、ドアが閉まりました。
densha ni norou to shita toki, doa ga shimarimashita.
When I was about to get on the train, the doors closed.
犬はお風呂に入ろうとしません。
inu wa ofuro ni hairou to shimasen.
The dog won't try to (refuses to) get in the bath.
宿題をしようとしたけど、友達が来ました。
shukudai o shiyou to shita kedo, tomodachi ga kimashita.
I tried to do my homework, but a friend came over.
[!TIP] Do not confuse
〜ようとする(try/attempt making an effort) with〜てみる(do something to see what it’s like). You use乗ろうとするwhen you are struggling to get on the train, but乗ってみるwhen you successfully get on to see if you like the train ride.
5. Cultural Insight: The Volitional Form in Monologues
The volitional form isn’t just for inviting others; it’s very frequently used in monologues (talking to oneself). When a Japanese person is about to start a task or makes a decision alone, they often mutter the volitional form to themselves to show determination or to signal their next move.
Common examples:
「よし、やろう！」(Yosh, yarou!) - “Okay, let’s do this!”「さて、帰ろうかな。」(Sate, kaerou kana.) - “Well, I guess I’ll head home.”
This usage helps the speaker focus and mentally prepare for the action. It’s a natural part of daily life in Japan that you’ll hear in offices, schools, and homes.
Contextual Dialogues
1. Making Weekend Plans (週末の予定)
Listen to how Tanaka and Suzuki use the volitional form to make plans and discuss their intentions.
鈴木さん、今週末、飲みに行こう！
Suzuki-san, konshuumatsu, nomi ni ikou!
Suzuki, let's go drinking this weekend!
あ、ごめん。今週末はJLPTの勉強をしようと思っているんだ。
A, gomen. Konshuumatsu wa JLPT no benkyou o shiyou to omotte iru n da.
Ah, sorry. I am planning to study for the JLPT this weekend.
そっか。N4を受けるの？
Sokka. N4 o ukeru no?
I see. Are you going to take N4?
うん。昨日も勉強しようとしたんだけど、すぐに寝てしまったよ。
Un. Kinou mo benkyou shiyou to shita n da kedo, sugu ni nete shimatta yo.
Yeah. I tried to study yesterday too, but I immediately fell asleep.
あはは、頑張って。じゃあ、僕は一人で飲もう。
Ahaha, ganbatte. Jaa, boku wa hitori de nomou.
Haha, do your best. Well then, I will drink alone.
2. At the Restaurant (レストランで)
Making decisions and suggestions casually.
全部美味しそうですね。何を食べようか。
Zenbu oishisou desu ne. Nani o tabeyou ka.
Everything looks delicious. What shall we eat?
僕はピザを食べようと思っているよ。一緒に食べよう！
Boku wa piza o tabeyou to omotte iru yo. Issho ni tabeyou!
I'm thinking of having the pizza. Let's share it!
いいですね。ワインも頼もう。
Ii desu ne. Wain mo tanomou.
Good idea. I'll order some wine too.
待って、店員さんが忙しそうだ。近くに来たら、呼ぼうとしよう。
Matte, ten-in san ga isogashisou da. Chikaku ni kitara, yobou to shiyou.
Wait, the waiter is busy. I'll try to call him when he comes near.
Chapter Summary
- 1The Volitional form translates roughly to 'Let's...' or 'I shall...'
- 2Group 1 verbs end in 〜ou, Group 2 end in 〜you, and Irregular verbs become しよう / 来よう.
- 3Used alone, it is the casual equivalent of 〜ましょう.
- 4Combined with と思う/と思っている, it expresses your intention or plan.
- 5Combined with とする/とした, it expresses trying or attempting to do an action (often with an interrupting result).
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding of the Volitional Form!
Quiz
What is the volitional form of '行く' (to go)?