Volitional Form意向形
The volitional form expresses willingness ("I’ll do it"), suggestions ("let’s do it"), and intention ("I’m going to"). For godan verbs, shift to the お-row and add う. For ichidan verbs, drop -ru and add -よう. The polite equivalent is -ましょう. Combined with grammar patterns like ～ようとする and ～ようと思う, the volitional unlocks nuanced expressions of determination and purpose.
The volitional form expresses willingness ("I’ll do it"), suggestions ("let’s do it"), and intention ("I’m going to"). For godan verbs, shift to the お-row and add う. For ichidan verbs, drop -ru and add -よう. The polite equivalent is -ましょう. Combined with grammar patterns like ～ようとする and ～ようと思う, the volitional unlocks nuanced expressions of determination and purpose.
How to form the volitional
Each verb group follows a different pattern, but all produce the same meaning: a proposal or intention.
Godan: お-row + う
Change the final kana to its お-row equivalent and add う: 行く→行こう (ikou), 話す→話そう (hanasou), 読む→読もう (yomou), 買う→買おう (kaou), 泳ぐ→泳ごう (oyogou), 待つ→待とう (matou). Think of it as the stem vowel shifting to "o" then adding "u."
Ichidan: stem + よう
Drop -ru and add -よう: 食べる→食べよう (tabeyou), 見る→見よう (miyou), 起きる→起きよう (okiyou), 寝る→寝よう (neyou). Simple and consistent — no exceptions within this group.
Irregular
する→しよう (shiyou). 来る→来よう (koyou). Note that 来る’s reading changes to こ (ko) in this form.
Polite volitional: ～ましょう
Replace ます with ましょう: 行きます→行きましょう, 食べます→食べましょう, しましょう, 来ましょう. This is the standard polite way to say "let’s" and is appropriate in any social context.
Usage 1: Suggestions — "let’s"
The most common use. Both plain (～よう) and polite (～ましょう) express a suggestion to do something together. ～ましょうか adds a question nuance: "shall we?" 一緒に行きましょうか (Shall we go together?). In casual speech, the plain volitional often ends with a rising intonation or か: 映画見ようか (Shall we watch a movie?).
Usage 2: Intention — "I’ll / I’m going to"
When used alone (not directed at someone), the volitional expresses the speaker’s personal decision or resolve: もう寝よう (I’m going to sleep now), 頑張ろう (I’ll do my best). This is a statement of will, not a suggestion.
Key grammar patterns with the volitional
The volitional form plugs into several important grammar structures.
～ようとする — "try to / about to"
Expresses an attempt (often failed or interrupted): ドアを開けようとしたが、鍵がかかっていた (I tried to open the door, but it was locked). Also used for "about to": 出かけようとした時に電話が鳴った (Just as I was about to leave, the phone rang).
～ようと思う — "I think I’ll / I intend to"
Expresses a plan or intention: 来年日本に行こうと思っている (I’m thinking of going to Japan next year). Using と思っている (progressive) signals an ongoing intention. と思う (non-progressive) can sound like you just decided.
～ようにする — "make an effort to"
Note: this uses the dictionary form + ようにする, NOT the volitional. 毎日運動するようにしている (I make an effort to exercise daily). Don’t confuse it with ～ようとする.
Volitional vs ～たい
～たい expresses a desire ("I want to"), while the volitional expresses a decision or suggestion ("I’ll / let’s"). 食べたい = I want to eat (feeling). 食べよう = Let’s eat / I’ll eat (action decision). The volitional is outward-facing and action-oriented; ～たい is inward-facing and emotional.
Volitional form conjugation
| Verb | Group | Volitional (plain) | Volitional (polite) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 行く | Godan | 行こう | 行きましょう | Let’s go |
| 書く | Godan | 書こう | 書きましょう | Let’s write |
| 話す | Godan | 話そう | 話しましょう | Let’s talk |
| 読む | Godan | 読もう | 読みましょう | Let’s read |
| 買う | Godan | 買おう | 買いましょう | Let’s buy |
| 食べる | Ichidan | 食べよう | 食べましょう | Let’s eat |
| 見る | Ichidan | 見よう | 見ましょう | Let’s watch |
| 起きる | Ichidan | 起きよう | 起きましょう | Let’s wake up |
| する | Irreg. | しよう | しましょう | Let’s do |
| 来る | Irreg. | 来よう (koyou) | 来ましょう | Let’s come |
Example sentences
今日は早く寝よう。
Kyou wa hayaku neyou.
I’m going to sleep early today.
Ichidan volitional — personal intention
一緒にお昼を食べましょう。
Issho ni ohiru o tabemashou.
Let’s have lunch together.
Polite suggestion with ましょう
もう少し頑張ろう！
Mou sukoshi ganbarou!
Let’s keep trying a bit more!
Godan volitional — encouragement
ドアを開けようとしたけど、動かなかった。
Doa o akeyou to shita kedo, ugokanakatta.
I tried to open the door but it wouldn’t move.
～ようとする — attempted action
来年から毎日日本語を勉強しようと思っている。
Rainen kara mainichi nihongo o benkyou shiyou to omotte iru.
I’m planning to study Japanese every day from next year.
～ようと思っている — ongoing intention
そろそろ帰ろうか。
Sorosoro kaerou ka.
Shall we head home soon?
Volitional + か — casual suggestion
Common mistakes
明日行こうと思う (just decided)
明日行こうと思っている (have been planning)
と思う sounds like you just decided this instant. と思っている shows it’s a considered plan. Use the progressive form for pre-existing intentions.
毎日運動しようにしている
毎日運動するようにしている
～ようにする uses the dictionary form, NOT the volitional form. しよう + にする is a common mistake. The pattern is: [dictionary form] + ようにする.
先生に聞こう (to a teacher)
先生に聞きましょう / 先生に聞いてみましょう
The plain volitional is too casual when speaking to or about a teacher. Use ましょう for polite suggestions, especially in hierarchical contexts.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between ～ましょう and ～ましょうか?
ましょう is a direct suggestion ("let’s do it"). ましょうか is a question ("shall we?") and sounds softer. 行きましょう = Let’s go. 行きましょうか = Shall we go? Use ましょうか when you’re not sure if the other person wants to.
Can the volitional form be used for commands?
No. The volitional is a suggestion or personal intention, never a command. For commands, use the imperative form (行け) or request patterns (行ってください). Saying 行こう to someone you have authority over is still a suggestion, not an order.
Is ～ようとする the same as ～てみる?
No. ～ようとする emphasizes the attempt itself, often with a nuance that it was difficult or failed: 逃げようとした (tried to escape). ～てみる emphasizes trying something out to see what happens: 食べてみた (tried eating it). ようとする = struggled to. てみる = gave it a try.
What group does 走る belong to?