Japanese Volitional Form and 〜ようと思っています (GENKI Lesson 15)
The volitional form is the casual version of 〜ましょう. 行こう! means “Let’s go!” With と思っています, it lets you talk about your plans: “I’m thinking of studying in Japan.” You learn it in GENKI Lesson 15.
- How to make the volitional form
- Casual “let’s …” and “shall we …?”
- 〜ようと思っています: I’m thinking of doing …
Contents
Start with the vocabulary
Let’s learn the key words from this lesson first. You will see them again in the examples below. Say the answer before you flip. Turn the readings off to test yourself.
How to make the volitional form
| Verb group | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| う-verbs | last sound → お sound + う | 行く → 行こう、飲む → 飲もう、話す → 話そういこう、のもう、はなそう |
| る-verbs | drop る + よう | 食べる → 食べよう、見る → 見ようたべよう、みよう |
| する | する → しようしよう | |
| 来る | 来る → 来ようこよう |
The volitional form is the casual version of 〜ましょう: 行きましょう → 行こう, 食べましょう → 食べよう.
Use 1: Let’s … (casual)
Use it with friends and family to suggest doing something together.
Shall we …? / Shall I …?: 〜ようか
Add か to make a casual suggestion or offer. It is the casual version of 〜ましょうか.
Use 2: Talking to yourself
The volitional form is also what you say to yourself when you decide something.
Use 3: 〜ようと思っています: I’m thinking of …
Add と思っています (or と思う) to talk about plans and intentions. It means the idea is in your head now, but it may not be final.
〜ようと思います: you decided just now. 〜ようと思っています: you have had this plan for a while. For other people, only 〜ようと思っています works: 兄は車を買おうと思っています.
For a firmer plan, you can also use 〜つもりです.
Final check: 10 questions
These questions mix everything on this page. Get 8 or more right, and you’ve got it!
What’s next
- そうです, ようです and みたいです: guessing and hearsay
- Everyday Expressions: 〜つもりだ, 〜てみる and 〜ておく
- GENKI Lesson 3: review 〜ましょう and 〜ませんか
Practice speaking with a real teacher
Talk about your plans with a teacher: 来年、日本に旅行しようと思っています。 On italki, you can find teachers who use GENKI and book a short trial lesson.
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