JLPT N4 grammar
Volitional form — Meaning & Examples
"Let's / I'll." Group 1: お-row + う (いこう). Group 2: よう (たべよう). Casual equivalent of ～ましょう.
Volitional Form — "Let's / I'll"
The volitional form expresses intention ("I'll...") or suggestion ("let's...").
Group 1: change う-row to お-row + う
いく → いこう (let's go / I'll go)
のむ → のもう (let's drink)
かく → かこう (let's write)
Group 2: drop る, add よう
たべる → たべよう (let's eat)
みる → みよう (let's see)
Irregular:
する → しよう (let's do)
くる → こよう (let's come)
Examples:
いっしょにいこう！ — Let's go together!
もうねよう。 — I think I'll go to sleep.
にほんごをべんきょうしよう。 — Let's study Japanese.
Volitional + とおもう = "I'm thinking of ~"
あしたはやくおきようとおもう。
— I'm thinking of waking up early tomorrow.
らいねんにほんにいこうとおもっています。
— I'm thinking of going to Japan next year.
Practise Volitional form in the free app
This point is part of the “Potential & Volitional Forms” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Potential & Volitional Forms
Frequently asked questions
What does Volitional form mean?
"Let's / I'll." Group 1: お-row + う (いこう). Group 2: よう (たべよう). Casual equivalent of ～ましょう.
Is Volitional form on the JLPT N4 test?
Volitional form is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Potential & Volitional Forms”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise Volitional form?
Open the “Potential & Volitional Forms” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.