Volitional
The volitional is one of the most widely used verb forms in Japanese. It is usually said to mean “let’s”, and is usually used as an invitation. However, what it actually expresses is your “will” , “inclination” or “desire” to do something. This will be helpful later.
~ましょう/~よう
Volitional (“let’s”)
Ichidan – verb stem + よう
Godan – verb stem +おう
Irregular – する→しよう くる→こよう
Polite volitional: ます→ ましょう
The volitional form typically means “let’s”. It is used to suggest an activity to other people. N5 mostly expects you to know ～ましょう
Examples
- きょうかしょをよみましょう – Let’s read the textbook. (I want to read the textbook, what about you?)
- ごはんをたべよう。Let’s eat food. （I want to eat, what do you want to do?)
As a soft command
In English, we sometimes use “let’s” as a soft command, particularly to children, such as “let’s go to the store”. This also happens in Japanese.
Examples
- 次の問題に答えましょう – Let’s answer the next questions.
- ならびましょう – Let’s line up.
- 寝ましょう – Let’s sleep.
~ましょうか
Shall we___?
Volitional + か
You can also add か to the end to make it into an explicit question. This makes it a little more polite because it is “softer” than an outright statement. i.e. you are asking not asserting.
Examples
- ご飯を食べましょうか – Shall we eat?
- 先生に聞きましょうか – Shall we ask the teacher?
- 帰ろうか？ – Shall we go home? (informal)
～ませんか
Won’t you do x?
Verb~ませんか
ませんか is not a volitional form, but is similar enough in meaning that I included it here.
ませんか is means “won’t you ?”. It is an invitation to do something. It is typically used when you want someone to do something. If you don’t want them to do it, you will say nothing.
Examples
- 食べませんか – (you) not eat it? → Won’t you drink it (You can eat it/I want you to eat it)
- 一緒に行きませんか– Won’t you go with me? (You can go with me/I want you to go with me)
- 飲みませんか？ – (you) not drink it? → Won’t you drink it? (You can drink it/I want you to drink it)
This can also be used to confirm a known negative, but is rare:
- A:パーティに行きません – I won’t go to the party.
B:え？行きませんか？ – What? You’re not going?