In Japanese, the volitional form is used to express a will or intention to do something. It's often described as the let's form in English, indicating a suggestion, invitation, or a speaker's will. You're already familiar with the formal volitional form ending in 〜ましょう, which is polite and typically used in formal contexts or with people you're not close with. There's also a less formal, more casual version of the volitional form, which is essential for everyday conversations with friends, family, or people you're close to.
How you construct the informal volitional form depends on the verb group. For group 1, or 五go段dan verbs, add an お before the final う.
| Let's drink beer. | ビール を 飲もう。biiru o nomou. |
| Shall we go to the cafe together? | 一緒 に カフェ に 行こう か？issho ni kafe ni ikou ka? |
Note that just as with 〜ましょう, we can translate the volitional form with shall we when it is followed by the question particle か.
For group 2, or 一iti段dan verbs, replace the final る with よう.
| Let's watch a movie together tomorrow! | 明日, 一緒 に 映画 を 見よう！ashita, issho ni eiga o miyou! |
| Shall we eat at this new restaurant? | この 新しい レストラン で 食べよう か。kono atarashii resutoran de tabeyou ka. |
And the volitional forms of the irregular verbs する and 来る are しよう and 来よう respectively.
| Let's study Japanese together. | 一緒 に 日本語 を 勉強しよう。issho ni nihongo o benkyoushiyou. |
| Let's come to the mountain again on the weekend. | 週末 は また 山 に 来よう。shuumatsu wa mata yama ni koyou. |
