Volitional Form (~you/~ou)
〜よう/〜おう
The volitional form expresses the speaker's intention or makes suggestions, equivalent to 'let's' or 'I'll'.
Pattern
U-verb: ~う → ~おう | Ru-verb: ~る → ~よう | する → しよう | くる → こよう | Polite: ~ます → ~ましょう
Explanation
The volitional form is used to express the speaker's will or intention ('I think I'll...') and to make suggestions ('let's...'). For u-verbs, change the final -u to -ou. For ru-verbs, replace -ru with -you. する becomes しよう and くる becomes こよう.
In polite speech, the volitional is formed by adding ましょう to the verb stem. This is one of the first forms learners encounter for making suggestions.
The volitional form can also be combined with と思う (to omou) to express 'I'm thinking of doing...' or 'I intend to...'. This pattern ～ようと思う is very common in everyday Japanese.
Examples
一緒に映画を見よう。
いっしょにえいがをみよう。
issho ni eiga wo miyou.
Let's watch a movie together.
明日から早く起きようと思う。
あしたからはやくおきようとおもう。
ashita kara hayaku okiyou to omou.
I'm thinking of getting up early starting tomorrow.
そろそろ帰ろう。
そろそろかえろう。
sorosoro kaerou.
Let's head home soon.
来年日本に行こうと思っています。
らいねんにほんにいこうとおもっています。
rainen nihon ni ikou to omotte imasu.
I'm thinking of going to Japan next year.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
食べるよう
Correct
食べよう
For ru-verbs, drop the る before adding よう. Don't keep the dictionary form intact.
Wrong
行くおう
Correct
行こう
For u-verbs, the final う-sound changes to the お-row equivalent, then add う. 行く → 行こう.
Wrong
しようと思った (when meaning current intention)
Correct
しようと思っている
Use ～ようと思っている for ongoing intentions. ～ようと思った means you had the thought at a past moment.
Related Grammar Points
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