Learning Japanese can be a fascinating journey, but it can also be quite challenging, especially when it comes to understanding different verb forms. One of the forms that often perplexes learners is the volitional form. In Japanese, the volitional form is used to express a speaker’s intention or willingness to perform an action. It is somewhat similar to saying “let’s” or “shall we” in English. This article will delve into the intricacies of the volitional form, offering a comprehensive guide to help you master this aspect of Japanese grammar.
What is the Volitional Form?
The volitional form is a grammatical construct used to indicate a speaker’s intention, decision, or willingness to do something. In English, this can often be translated as “let’s” when used in a suggestion (e.g., “Let’s go to the park”) or as “I will” when making a decision (e.g., “I will study tonight”). Understanding when and how to use the volitional form is crucial for effective communication in Japanese.
Forming the Volitional Form
The way you form the volitional form depends on whether the verb is a **godan** (五段) verb, an **ichidan** (一段) verb, or an **irregular** verb. Let’s break down each category:
Godan Verbs
Godan verbs, also known as u-verbs, undergo a stem change before adding the volitional ending. To form the volitional for these verbs, follow these steps:
1. Change the final **u** vowel to its corresponding **o** vowel.
2. Add **う** (u) to the end.
For example:
– **行く** (iku, to go) becomes **行こう** (ikou, let’s go).
– **飲む** (nomu, to drink) becomes **飲もう** (nomou, let’s drink).
Ichidan Verbs
Ichidan verbs, also known as ru-verbs, are simpler to conjugate. Simply remove the final **る** (ru) and add **よう** (you).
For example:
– **食べる** (taberu, to eat) becomes **食べよう** (tabeyou, let’s eat).
– **見る** (miru, to see) becomes **見よう** (miyou, let’s see).
Irregular Verbs
There are two main irregular verbs in Japanese: **する** (suru, to do) and **来る** (kuru, to come).
– **する** becomes **しよう** (shiyou, let’s do).
– **来る** becomes **来よう** (koyou, let’s come).
Usage of the Volitional Form
Now that you know how to form the volitional form, it’s important to understand when to use it. The volitional form can be utilized in several contexts:
Suggestions
One of the most common uses of the volitional form is to make suggestions. This is similar to saying “let’s” in English.
– **映画を見よう** (eiga o miyou, let’s watch a movie).
– **公園に行こう** (kouen ni ikou, let’s go to the park).
Decisions
You can use the volitional form to express a decision you’ve made on the spot.
– **勉強しよう** (benkyou shiyou, I will study).
– **早く寝よう** (hayaku neyō, I will go to bed early).
Intentions and Plans
The volitional form can also be used to express intentions or plans, often used in a more formal context or in written Japanese.
– **来年日本に行こうと思っています** (rainen Nihon ni ikou to omotteimasu, I am planning to go to Japan next year).
– **新しい仕事を探そうと思う** (atarashii shigoto o sagasou to omou, I intend to look for a new job).
Combining Volitional Form with Other Grammar Points
The volitional form can be combined with other grammatical elements to convey more nuanced meanings. Here are a few examples:
Volitional Form + と思う (to omou)
When combined with **と思う** (to omou), the volitional form expresses one’s intention or plan.
– **週末に旅行に行こうと思っています** (shuumatsu ni ryokou ni ikou to omotteimasu, I am planning to travel this weekend).
– **来年日本語を勉強しようと思う** (rainen Nihongo o benkyou shiyou to omou, I intend to study Japanese next year).
Volitional Form + か (ka)
When used with the question particle **か** (ka), the volitional form can turn into a suggestion or a rhetorical question.
– **外に出ようか？** (soto ni deyou ka?, Shall we go outside?).
– **何を食べようか？** (nani o tabeyou ka?, What shall we eat?).
Volitional Form + とする (to suru)
Combining the volitional form with **とする** (to suru) can indicate an attempt or effort to do something.
– **出かけようとしたが、雨が降ってきた** (dekakeyou to shita ga, ame ga futte kita, I tried to go out, but it started to rain).
– **宿題をやろうとする** (shukudai o yarou to suru, I will try to do my homework).
Polite Suggestions: Using ~ましょう (~mashou)
While the plain volitional form is often used in casual conversations, the polite form **~ましょう** (~mashou) is used in more formal situations. It is formed by adding **~ましょう** to the masu-stem of a verb.
For example:
– **食べる** (taberu, to eat) becomes **食べましょう** (tabemashou, let’s eat).
– **行く** (iku, to go) becomes **行きましょう** (ikimashou, let’s go).
This form is particularly common in service settings, formal meetings, and polite invitations.
– **こちらに座りましょう** (kochira ni suwarimashou, let’s sit here).
– **一緒に行きましょう** (issho ni ikimashou, let’s go together).
Practice Makes Perfect
Understanding the volitional form is one thing, but being able to use it fluently requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you get comfortable with the volitional form:
Exercise 1: Conjugation Practice
Convert the following verbs to their volitional forms:
1. 書く (kaku, to write)
2. 走る (hashiru, to run)
3. 聞く (kiku, to listen)
4. 話す (hanasu, to speak)
5. 泳ぐ (oyogu, to swim)
Answers:
1. 書こう (kakou, let’s write)
2. 走ろう (hashirou, let’s run)
3. 聞こう (kikou, let’s listen)
4. 話そう (hanasou, let’s speak)
5. 泳ごう (oyogou, let’s swim)
Exercise 2: Making Suggestions
Create sentences using the volitional form to make suggestions:
1. Suggest watching a movie.
2. Suggest going for a walk.
3. Suggest eating sushi.
4. Suggest reading a book.
5. Suggest studying together.
Example Answers:
1. 映画を見よう (eiga o miyou, let’s watch a movie).
2. 散歩しよう (sanpo shiyou, let’s go for a walk).
3. 寿司を食べよう (sushi o tabeyou, let’s eat sushi).
4. 本を読もう (hon o yomou, let’s read a book).
5. 一緒に勉強しよう (issho ni benkyou shiyou, let’s study together).
Exercise 3: Expressing Intentions
Use the volitional form with **と思う** (to omou) to express your intentions:
1. Plan to travel next month.
2. Intend to start a new hobby.
3. Plan to visit a friend.
4. Intend to learn a new language.
5. Plan to move to a new city.
Example Answers:
1. 来月旅行に行こうと思う (raigetsu ryokou ni ikou to omou, I plan to travel next month).
2. 新しい趣味を始めようと思う (atarashii shumi o hajimeyou to omou, I intend to start a new hobby).
3. 友達を訪ねようと思う (tomodachi o tazuneyou to omou, I plan to visit a friend).
4. 新しい言語を学ぼうと思う (atarashii gengo o manabou to omou, I intend to learn a new language).
5. 新しい街に引っ越そうと思う (atarashii machi ni hikkosou to omou, I plan to move to a new city).
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Understanding common pitfalls can help you avoid making mistakes. Here are some frequent errors learners make when using the volitional form and tips on how to avoid them:
Confusing Volitional Form with Potential Form
The volitional form can sometimes be confused with the potential form, especially since they can look similar. Remember that the volitional form expresses intention or suggestion, while the potential form expresses capability.
– Volitional: **行こう** (ikou, let’s go).
– Potential: **行ける** (ikeru, can go).
Using Volitional Form in Inappropriate Contexts
The volitional form is casual and should not be used in very formal contexts. Instead, use the polite form **~ましょう** (~mashou).
– Casual: **映画を見よう** (eiga o miyou, let’s watch a movie).
– Polite: **映画を見ましょう** (eiga o mimashou, let’s watch a movie).
Incorrect Stem Changes for Godan Verbs
Make sure you correctly change the final **u** vowel to its corresponding **o** vowel for godan verbs.
– Incorrect: **話す** (hanasu) to **話すよう** (hanasuyou).
– Correct: **話す** (hanasu) to **話そう** (hanasou).
Conclusion
Mastering the volitional form in Japanese grammar is an essential step for any language learner aiming to achieve fluency. By understanding how to form and use it, you can make suggestions, express decisions, and share your intentions more naturally in conversations. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the context in which you use the volitional form. With time and effort, you will find it becoming a seamless part of your Japanese language skills. Happy studying!
