Mastering the Japanese Volitional Form (意志形): Casual Invitations and Suggestions

Introduction

Want to invite friends to do something in Japanese, like “Let’s eat!” or “Shall we go?” The Japanese volitional form (意志形 – いしけい) is perfect for making casual suggestions and invitations to people you are close to, like friends and family.

What is the Volitional Form?

The volitional form is a verb conjugation that expresses the speaker’s will or intention. When used casually, especially with others, it often translates to “Let’s do ~” or “Shall we do ~?”.

Example:

Yumi

今度こんどの週末しゅうまつ、ひまなんだ。
I’m free this weekend.

Ken

じゃあ、一緒いっしょに遊あそぼう。
Then, let’s play together.

How to Form the Volitional Form

The conjugation rules depend on the verb group:

る-verbs (Group2)

Remove the final 「る」 and add 「よう」.

• 食べる (taberu – to eat) → 食べよう (tabeyou)  
• 見る (miru – to see) → 見よう (miyou)  
• 寝る (neru – to sleep) → 寝よう (neyou)  

う-verbs (Group1)

Replace the final 「う」 sound with the 「おう」 sound (e.g., -ku → -kou, -su → -sou, -bu → -bou, -mu → -mou, -ru → -rou).

• 話す (hanasu – to speak) → 話そう (hanasou)  
• 行く (iku – to go) → 行こう (ikou)  
• 飲む (nomu – to drink) → 飲もう (nomou)  
• 遊ぶ (asobu – to play) → 遊ぼう (asobou)  
• 帰る (kaeru – to return) → 帰ろう (kaerou)  

Irregular verbs

These have special conjugations you need to memorize.

• する (suru – to do) → しよう (shiyou)  
• 来る (kuru – to come) → 来よう (koyou)  

Using the Volitional Form for Casual Invitations

The volitional form is primarily used to make casual suggestions or invitations to people you have a close relationship with, such as friends and family. Example:

• 来週、学校で一緒に昼ご飯を食べよう。 (Raishuu, gakkou de issho ni hirugohan o tabeyou.) Let’s eat lunch together at school next week.  

You can often add the particle 「か」 (ka) after the volitional form to make the invitation sound less like a direct command and more like you are open to the other person’s opinion or suggestion. Example:

• A: 今度、映画を見ようか。 (Kondo, eiga o miyou ka.) Shall we watch a movie some time?
  B: うん、いいね。明日行こうか。 (Un, ii ne. Ashita ikou ka.) ― Yeah, sounds good. Shall we go tomorrow?

Practice Time!

Try conjugating these verbs into their volitional forms:  

• 予約する (yoyaku suru – to reserve) → 予約しよう (yoyaku shiyou)
• しゃべる (shaberu – to chat) → しゃべろう (shaberou)
• 保険に入る (hoken ni hairu – to buy insurance) → 保険に入ろう (hoken ni hairou)
• 売る (uru – to sell) → 売ろう (urou)
• 走る (hashiru – to run) → 走ろう (hashirou)
• 取る (toru – to take) → 取ろう (torou)
• やる (yaru – to do/perform) → やろう
• 練習する (renshuu suru – to practice) → 練習しよう

Now, try making casual invitations using the volitional form, adding 「か」 if appropriate:  

• Situation: Your friend says they want to drink delicious coffee. Suggestion: Go to a cafe together.
  → 一緒にカフェに行こうか。 (Issho ni kafe ni ikou ka.)  
• Situation: Your friend says they are not good at English. Suggestion: Talk in Japanese.
  → 日本語で話そうか。 (Nihongo de hanasou ka.)  
• Situation: Your friend says they want to stay at a Japanese inn. Suggestion: Make a booking.
  → 予約しようか。 (Yoyaku shiyou ka.)  

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is incorrect conjugation, especially with う-verbs. Remember the sound change rule (う → おう) rather than just adding 「よう」 to the dictionary form.

• ❌ Incorrect: 帰る → 帰るよう
• ✅ Correct: 帰る (kaeru) → 帰ろう (kaerou)

FAQ

Conclusion

The Japanese volitional form is essential for making casual invitations and suggestions. Master the conjugation rules and practice using it with friends and family.

🎯 Try using the volitional form today to invite someone to do something with you!