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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. |
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ru-verbs: Drop the final -ru and add
-yoo |
| 食べる -> 食べよう |
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taberu - tabeyoo |
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u-verbs: Drop the final -u and
add -oo |
| 行く -> 行こう |
|
| iku - ikoo |
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| 話す -> 話そう |
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hanasu - hanasoo |
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Irregular: |
| くる
->
こよう |
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| する -> しよう |
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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. |
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| 結婚しようよ。 |
Let's get married! |
|
kekkon shiyoo yo. |
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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? |
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| 今度、いつ会おうか。 |
When shall we meet next time? |
|
kondo, itsu aoo ka? |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
|