KANAKUMA

JLPT N4 · Wishes, plans, and choices

意向形

Let's do it; I will do it

Meaning

Expresses a suggestion to act together or the speaker's own decision to act.

Formation

  1. Group 1: the -i syllable shifts to the -o row plus う: 行きます → 行こう
  2. Group 2: ます → よう: 食べます → 食べよう
  3. Group 3: しよう, 来よう (koyou)

When to use it

Core use
Let's do it; I will do it

Examples

20 sentences

  • 週末しゅうまつは一緒いっしょに映画えいがを見ようみよう

    Let's watch a film together this weekend.

  • 今日きょうは早くはやく帰ろうかえろう

    I think I will leave early today.

  • 少しすこし休もうやすもう

    Let's take a short break.

  • 次つぎの駅えきで降りようおりよう

    Let's get off at the next station.

  • 明日あしたは早くはやく起きようおきよう

    Let's get up early tomorrow.

  • この道みちをまっすぐ行こういこう

    Let's go straight along this road.

  • 一緒いっしょに昼ご飯ひるごはんを作ろうつくろう

    Let's make lunch together.

  • 困っこまったら先生せんせいに聞こうきこう

    If we have trouble, let's ask the teacher.

12 more examples

  • 今日きょうはここまでにしよう

    Let's stop here for today.

  • 夏休みなつやすみに海うみへ行こういこう

    Let's go to the sea during summer vacation.

  • 小さなちいさな荷物にもつを運ぼうはこぼう

    Let's carry the small luggage.

  • また来年らいねんもここに来ようこよう

    Let's come here again next year.

  • 古いふるい雑誌ざっしを捨てようすてよう

    Let's throw away the old magazines.

  • 台所だいどころの窓まどを開けようあけよう

    Let's open the kitchen window.

  • 旅行りょこうの写真しゃしんを見ようみよう

    Let's look at the travel photos.

  • 短いみじかい手紙てがみを書こうかこう

    Let's write a short letter.

  • 昼ご飯ひるごはんは何なにを食べようたべようか

    What shall we have for lunch?

  • 疲れたつかれたから、そろそろ寝ようねよう

    I'm tired, so I think I'll go to bed now.

  • 家いえの鍵かぎを探そうさがそう

    Let's look for the house key.

  • 晩ご飯ばんごはんの準備じゅんびをしよう

    Let's prepare dinner.

Important notes

  • The plain volitional can invite someone or express your own resolve.

Common mistakes

  • Group 1 uses the o-row plus う: 書こう, not 書きよう.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

  1. 今日きょうはここまでにしよう
  2. 旅行りょこうの写真しゃしんを見ようみよう
  3. 晩ご飯ばんごはんの準備じゅんびをしよう

Similar grammar

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