N4Chapter 27

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.
N4 · Context

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.

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.

Grammar Point
Volitional Form
MeaningLet's do [verb]. (Casual)
Formation
Conjugate verb to Volitional Form
Examples (2)

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.

[!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).
Grammar Point
Volitional Form + と思う / と思っている
MeaningI intend to / I think I will do [verb].
Formation
Volitional Verb + と思う
Examples (2)

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.

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.

Grammar Point
Volitional Form + とする
MeaningTo attempt to do / to be about to do [verb].
Formation
Volitional Verb + とする
Examples (2)

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.

[!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.

Contextual Dialogue

Let’s see how Tanaka and Suzuki use the volitional form to make plans and discuss their intentions.

Making Weekend Plans (週末の予定)
T
Tanaka

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!

S
Suzuki

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.

T
Tanaka

そっか。N4を受けるの？

Sokka. N4 o ukeru no?

I see. Are you going to take N4?

S
Suzuki

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.

T
Tanaka

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.

Chapter Summary

Key Takeaways
  • 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

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What is the volitional form of '行く' (to go)?