Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 3: 9/18

う・よう (Volitional)

Let's, I shall (Casual volitional)

Structure

Examples:
[る1]Verb() +
[る5]Verb(すわ) +
[う]Verb(うた) +
[く]Verb(ある) +
[す]Verb(はな) +
[つ]Verb() +
[ぬ]Verb() +
[ぶ]Verb() +
[む]Verb(やす) +
[ぐ]Verb(およ) +


Exceptions:
する → しよう
くる → こよう

Details

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About Verb[よう]

よう (and ) are grammar constructions that function in a similar way to ましょう, or to be more precise, ましょう is the polite (conjugated) form of these auxiliary verbs. They are used as a casual way of expressing 'let's' when making suggestions, or 'I shall' when making statements.
よう is only one of the potential forms of this grammar point, and can actually be divided into two separate auxiliary verbs, (used with う-Verbs), and よう (used with る-Verbs, する, and くる).
When attaching to う-Verbs, simply replace the last kana with the equivalent お sound kana from within the same column (く becomes こ, う becomes お, す becomes そ, etc.), before adding . For る-Verbs, replace る with よう.
  • 今夜(こんや)先輩(せんぱい)試合(しあい)()()こう
    Tonight, let's go watch the senpai's tournament!
  • (はや)()よう
    Let's eat already!
As with many other verb conjugations, する and くる behave in a slightly different way to regular う-Verbs and る-Verbs. する will become しよう, while くる will become こよう.
  • (わたし)運転(うんてん)よう
    Shall I drive?
  • 今日(きょう)(かね)()から明日(あした)よう
    I don't have money today, so let's come tomorrow.
The type of statements that , and よう can be used for in Japanese are usually divided into three categories.
推量(すいりょう) - Expresses guesses (has a similar meaning to だろう, which itself is the よう form of )
意志(いし) - Expresses intentions (has a similar meaning to ~するつもりだ)
勧誘(かんゆう) - Expresses invitations or encouragement (has a similar meaning to (さそ)う 'to invite')
Caution
Although よう is used with る-Verbs, する, and くる, it should not be confused with ようだ, another auxiliary verb that is used when describing likeness (in a similar way to そうだ).

Synonyms

Examples

  • 毎日(まいにち)スポーツよう

    Let's play sports every day.

  • (あさ)(はん)()べに()こう

    Let's go out to eat for breakfast.

  • 今日(きょう)(はや)(かえ)ろう

    Let's go home early today.

  • 日本語(にほんご)勉強(べんきょう)なくてはいけない頑張(がんば)ろう

    We have to study Japanese. Let's do our best!

  • 天気(てんき)(あめ)でも()でもハイキング()こう

    Rain or shine, let's go hiking.

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Verb[よう] – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • marlowe

    marlowe

    What does る5 mean?

  • gyroninja

    gyroninja

    It’s explained in the structure legend. It represents a godan verb.

  • marlowe

    marlowe

    Okay thanks - I’d figured it was a godan verb, just haven’t seen a number above る2 before!

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