Unit 4 - Section 2: Potential Form Usage

Practice Quiz

Volitional Form (Let's / Will Do)

Learn to express intention, suggestion, and determination using the volitional form. Used when proposing actions or expressing willingness.

Formation Patterns

Ichidan (Group 1) Verbs: Remove る and add よう
  • 見る → 見よう (let's see) - miru → miyou
  • 食べる → 食べよう (let's eat) - taberu → tabeyou
  • 起きる → 起きよう (let's wake up) - okiru → okiyou
Godan (Group 2) Verbs: Change -u to -o + う
Ending Change Example
う → おう 買う → 買おう (let's buy)
く → こう 書く → 書こう (let's write)
ぐ → ごう 泳ぐ → 泳ごう (let's swim)
す → そう 話す → 話そう (let's speak)
つ → とう 立つ → 立とう (let's stand)
ぬ → のう 死ぬ → 死のう (will die)
ぶ → ぼう 飲む → 飲もう (let's drink)
む → もう 読む → 読もう (let's read)
Irregular Verbs:
  • する → しよう (let's do) - suru → shiyou
  • 来る → 来よう (let's come) - kuru → koyou

Usage Patterns

1. Suggestion / Let's:

Most casual and common use

  • 映画を見ようよ。 - "Let's watch a movie!"
  • 公園へ行こう。 - "Let's go to the park."
2. Determination / I will:

Express strong intention

  • 必ず成功しよう。 - "I will definitely succeed."
  • 頑張ろう。 - "Let's do our best / I'll do my best."
3. Tentative / I guess/suppose I will:

Less definite, more cautious

  • そろそろ寝ようか。 - "Should we sleep soon?" / "I guess I'll go to bed."
  • これからどうしようかな。 - "What should I do now?" / "I wonder what I'll do."

Polite Volitional

Formal versions with まし:
  • 見ましょう - "Let's see" (polite invitation)
  • 飲みましょう - "Let's drink" (polite)
  • 座りましょう - "Let's sit down" (polite)

Example Sentences

この週末しゅうまつ、一緒いっしょに映画えいがを見ましょう。
[Kono shuumatsu, issho ni eiga wo mimashoo]
Translation: Let's watch a movie together this weekend.
頑張がんばろう！
[Ganbarou!]
Translation: Let's do our best! / I'll try my best!
今日きょうは何なにをしようか。
[Kyou wa nani wo shiyou ka]
Translation: What shall I do today? / What should we do today?
夢ゆめを叶かなえよう！
[Yume wo kanayou!]
Translation: Let's achieve our dreams! / I will achieve my dreams!

Study Tips

Master Volitional Form:
  • Main pattern: Ichidan adds よう, Godan changes final -u to -o + う
  • Most common use: Making suggestions - "Let's do..."
  • Polite version: ～ましょう (very common in formal settings)
  • Casual vs polite: Know both plain volitional and ましょう versions
  • Common expressions: 頑張ろう (ganbarou - do one's best), 行こう (iko - let's go)
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz