意向形の 使い方 (ikoukei no tsukaikata) — Where the volitional form is used
For talking to yourself and for suggesting to a close friend — the polite version is 〜ましょう.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
The volitional form is used in two places. First — talking to yourself, deciding something in your head: 「もう 寝よう」(right, time to sleep). Second — suggesting something to a close friend, a sibling or someone younger: 「一緒に 帰ろう」(let us go home together). With a boss, a customer or a stranger, do not use the volitional form — there you need its polite partner 〜ましょう, which is built from the ます form (帰ります → 帰り → 帰りましょう). To answer a suggestion with "I have not done it yet", use 「まだ 〜て いません」: 「もう 昼ごはんを 食べましたか。」「いいえ、まだ 食べて いません。」Saying まだ 食べませんでした here is wrong, because the thing is still left to do.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
一緒に 帰ろう。
issho ni kaerou.
Let us go home together.
部長、ちょっと 休みましょう。
buchou, chotto yasumimashou.
Boss, let us take a short break.
まだ 食べて いません。一緒に 食べよう。
mada tabete imasen. issho ni tabeyou.
I have not eaten yet. Let us eat together.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Question: 1/3What is the polite version of 「一緒に 帰ろう」?
💡 Hint: From the ます form, drop ます and add ましょう.
帰ります → 帰り → 帰りましょう. It is built from the ます form, not from the volitional form.
「もう 昼ごはんを 食べましたか。」If you have not eaten yet, which answer is right?
💡 Hint: If the thing is still left to do, use 「まだ 〜て いません」.
まだ pairs with 〜て いません. まだ 食べませんでした is wrong.
Which do you use when suggesting something to your boss?
💡 Hint: The volitional form is not polite.
行こう is only for friends. With a boss, a customer or a stranger, use 行きましょう.
Your score: /3