（よ）うVolitional form
The volitional form presents an action as something the speaker is willing or considering doing. On its own, it can express a plain decision or a familiar suggestion; it also serves as the verb form used at the start of several longer patterns.
Complete godan ending changes
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Dictionary-form ending | Volitional ending |
|---|---|
| う | おう |
| く | こう |
| ぐ | ごう |
| す | そう |
| つ | とう |
| ぬ | のう |
| ぶ | ぼう |
| む | もう |
| る | ろう |
This change applies to godan verbs only. An ichidan verb ending in る instead replaces that ending with よう.
Plain decisions and familiar suggestions
Used independently, the form can sound like “I’ll…” in self-directed speech or “Let’s…” when the speaker proposes a shared action. Context tells you which reading fits.
A building block for longer patterns
The same verb form can come before expressions such as と思う, とする, and ものなら. Here, forming the verb correctly is only the first step: the following expression determines the meaning of the complete pattern.
More examples
忘れないうちに、要点を書こう。
I’ll write down the main points before I forget.
Analyzeこの本を最後まで読もう。
I’ll read this book to the end.
Analyze昼は駅前で食べよう。
Let’s eat near the station for lunch.
Analyze明日の朝、もう一度確認しよう。
I’ll check it once more tomorrow morning.
Analyze次はもう少しゆっくり話そう。
Next time, let’s speak a little more slowly.
Analyzeまたみんなでここに来よう。
Let’s all come here again.
Analyze