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Languages Study | Languages of the East | Japanese III

ÀÓÄÈÎ 421 | GRAMMAR II - 15.01 : Volitional Form
 
Grammar II - 15.01 Grammar L4 - 007 Menu - Grammar
  Volitional Form
 

The volitional form of a verb is a less formal, more casual equivalent of ましょう - mashoo.
You can use it to suggest a plan to a close friend, for example.
   
  ru-verbs: Drop the final -ru and add -yoo
食べる -> 食べよう to eat

taberu - tabeyoo

  
  u-verbs: Drop the final -u and add -oo
行く -> 行こう to go
iku - ikoo  
話す -> 話そう to speak

hanasu - hanasoo

  
 

Irregular:
くる -> こよう to come
する -> しよう to do
   

あしたは授業がないから、今夜、
どこかに食べに行こう。

 We don't have any classes tomorrow.
Let's go some place for dinner tonight.
ashita-wa jugyoo-ga nai kara, konja,
doko-ka-ni tabe-ni ikoo.		  
結婚しようよ。 Let's get married!

kekkon shiyoo yo.

  
   
  You can use the volitional plus the question particle か to ask for an opinion in your offer or suggestion.
手伝おうか。 Shall I help you?
tetsudaoo ka?  
友だちがおもしろい
と言っていたから、
この映画を見ようか。		 Shall we see this film? My friends say it is good.
tomodachi-ga, omoshiroi
to itte ita kara,
kono eiga-o miyoo ka?		  
今度、いつ会おうか。 When shall we meet next time?

kondo, itsu aoo ka?

  
   
 

We also use the volitional + と思っています - to omotte imasu to talk about our determinations.
毎日三時間
日本語を勉強しよう
と思っています。		 I've decided to study Japanese for three hours every day
mainichi, san-jikan
nihongo-o benkyoo-shiyoo
to omotte imasu.		  
   
 

You can also use the volitional + to omoi masu,
which suggests that the decision to perform the activity is being made on the spot at the time of speaking.
to omotte imasu, in contrast, tends to suggest that you have already decided to do something.
  Situation 1
一万円あげましょう。
何に使いますか。		 I will give you 10,000 yen.
What will you use it for?
ichi-man-en agemashoo,
nani-ni tsukaimasu ka?		  
漢字の辞書を買おう
と思います。		 I will buy a kanji dictionary, (decision made on the spot)

kanji-no jisho-o kaoo
to omoimasu.

  
   
  Situation 2
両親から一万円もらったんですか。
何に使いますか。		 You got 10,000 yen from your parents?
What are you going to use it for?
ryooshin-kara ichi-man-en moratta n desu ka.
nani-ni tsukaimasu ka?		  
漢字の辞書を買おう
と思っています。		 I am going to buy a kanji dictionary, (decision already made)

kanji-no jisho-o kaoo
to omotte imasu.