B1 · Intermediário Capítulo 4

Intentions, Suggestions, and Commands

5 Regras totais
51 exemplos
6 min
Regras neste capítulo Prática rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of suggestion, intention, and command to speak Japanese with true authority and ease.

  • Convey personal intentions and friendly group suggestions.
  • Express spontaneous plans and actions that were almost initiated.
  • Navigate social commands and prohibitions with appropriate register.
Speak your mind and influence the room.

O que você vai aprender

Hey there! Ready to take your Japanese to the next level and truly express yourself? In this chapter, you'll master crucial skills for conveying your intentions, making suggestions, and understanding commands. First up, we'll dive into the Japanese Volitional Form (～よう). This powerful form lets you make casual suggestions (like,

Shall we grab lunch?
) and express your personal intentions (for example,
I want to go to Japan this summer.
). Next, you'll learn «～ようと思う» to talk about plans that aren't 100% final, like "I'm thinking of exercising tomorrow.
This makes your conversations sound much more natural. If something was about to happen or you were in the middle of doing something when it was interrupted, the
～ようとする
pattern will help you express exactly that (e.g.,
I almost fell! or I was just about to leave when..."). It's super handy! Then, we'll cover the Imperative Form (命令形). You'll hear this often in anime, during sports, or see it on signs, allowing you to fully grasp direct commands. But be careful; you'll learn when and how to use it cautiously in social situations! Finally, for those times you need to say a firm "Don't!", you'll learn the blunt negative imperative «～な.» After this chapter, you'll confidently express your intentions, make friendly suggestions, and fully understand commands in any context, even using them yourself when appropriate. Get ready for deeper, more authentic communication in Japanese!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use the volitional form to invite friends to activities.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Distinguish between firm commands and polite requests.

Guia do capítulo

Overview

Welcome, language adventurers, to a pivotal chapter in your B1 Japanese grammar journey! Are you ready to truly elevate your communication skills and express yourself with greater nuance? This guide will empower you to convey your intentions, make natural suggestions, and understand various forms of commands in Japanese.
Mastering these structures is crucial for sounding more like a native speaker and navigating real-life conversations with confidence.
We’ll start by exploring the versatile Japanese Volitional Form (~よう), which is your go-to for casual "let's do X" suggestions and expressing personal intentions. Then, you'll learn ~ようと思う, a fantastic phrase for discussing plans that are still a bit flexible, adding a natural "I'm thinking of doing X" to your speech. For those moments when you're
about to do something
or almost did something, ~ようとする will be your linguistic ally, providing precision to your narratives.
Finally, we'll delve into the more direct forms: the Japanese Imperative Form (命令形) and the blunt negative command ~な (na). While these are powerful and often seen in media, understanding their social implications is key to using them appropriately. By the end of this chapter, you’ll be able to confidently express your desires, propose activities, and interpret direct instructions, moving you significantly closer to authentic Japanese communication.

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the core mechanics of expressing intentions, suggestions, and commands in Japanese.
First, the Japanese Volitional Form (~よう). This form serves two main purposes: making casual suggestions ("Let's...
) and expressing your personal intention (
I intend to...").
  • Group 1 Verbs (五段動詞): Change the final -u sound to an -ou sound.
  • 行く (iku) → 行こう (ikou) (Let's go / I intend to go)
  • 読む (yomu) → 読もう (yomou) (Let's read / I intend to read)
  • Group 2 Verbs (一段動詞): Drop -ru and add -you.
  • 食べる (taberu) → 食べよう (tabeyou) (Let's eat / I intend to eat)
  • 見る (miru) → 見よう (miyou) (Let's look / I intend to look)
  • Irregular Verbs:
  • する (suru) → しよう (shiyou) (Let's do / I intend to do)
  • 来る (kuru) → こよう (koyou) (Let's come / I intend to come)
Example

今夜、映画を見よう！ (Let's watch a movie tonight!)

Next, ~ようと思う expresses a non-definite plan or intention, like "I'm thinking of doing X." It's formed by attaching と思う (to omou) to the volitional form.
Example

日本語を勉強しようと思っています。 (I'm thinking of studying Japanese.)

The phrase ~ようとする indicates an attempt to do something or being on the verge of doing something. It's formed by adding とする (to suru) to the volitional form.
Example

ドアを開けようとしたら、鍵がかかっていた。(When I tried to open the door, it was locked.)

Example

彼は椅子から落ちようとした。(He was about to fall from the chair.)

Then, we have the Japanese Imperative Form (命令形), used for direct, blunt commands.
  • Group 1 Verbs: Change the final -u sound to an -e sound.
  • 行く (iku) → 行け！ (ike!) (Go!)
  • 読む (yomu) → 読め！ (yome!) (Read!)
  • Group 2 Verbs: Drop -ru and add -ro.
  • 食べる (taberu) → 食べろ！ (tabero!) (Eat!)
  • 見る (miru) → 見ろ！ (miro!) (Look!)
  • Irregular Verbs:
  • する (suru) → しろ！ (shiro!) (Do it!)
  • 来る (kuru) → こい！ (koi!) (Come!)
Example

走れ！ (Run!)

Finally, for blunt negative commands, use ~な (na), which attaches directly to the dictionary form of the verb.
Example

触るな！ (Don't touch!)

Example

心配するな！ (Don't worry!)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 私は来週、旅行に行こうと思います。(I'm thinking of going on a trip next week.) - if the trip is already booked and confirmed.
✓ Correct: 私は来週、旅行に行きます。(I'm going on a trip next week.)
*Explanation:* ~ようと思う implies a tentative plan or a thought. For a definite, decided plan, use the plain form or ます form.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 友達に「これ、食べろ！」と言った。(I told my friend, Eat this!)
✓ Correct: 友達に「これ、食べよう！」とか「これ、食べない？」と言った。(I told my friend, "Let's eat this! or Want to eat this?")
*Explanation:* The Imperative Form (命令形) is very strong and can sound rude, even among friends. For casual suggestions or offers, the Volitional Form (~よう) or other softer forms are much more appropriate.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 私は日本語を話そうとしたいです。(I want to try to speak Japanese.)
✓ Correct: 私は日本語を話したいです。(I want to speak Japanese.) OR 私は日本語を話そうとしています。(I am trying to speak Japanese.)
*Explanation:* ~ようとする means to attempt to or
to be about to.
If your intention is to want to, use ~たい (tai). If you are currently making an effort, then ~ようとしている is correct. The want to try combination is redundant.

Real Conversations

A

A

今日、一緒に図書館に行こうか？ (Shall we go to the library together today?)
B

B

いいね！でも、その前にちょっと調べたいことがあるから、先に家で準備しようと思う。(Sounds good! But before that, there's something I want to research, so I'm thinking of preparing at home first.)
A

A

あ！電車が閉まろうとしている！ (Ah! The train is about to close!)
B

B

走れ！ (Run!)
A

A

彼はいつも宿題をしようとしない。(He never tries to do his homework.)
B

B

先生に言うなよ。(Don't tell the teacher.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the main difference between ~ようと思う and ~つもりです when expressing intentions?

~ようと思う expresses a more tentative or evolving intention ("I'm thinking of doing X

), whereas ~つもりです indicates a more definite and decided plan (
I intend to do X").

Q

Can I use the Imperative Form (命令形) in all casual situations?

No, the Imperative Form (命令形) is generally very blunt and carries a strong sense of command. Even in casual settings, it's typically reserved for urgent situations, sports, or very close, informal male-to-male interactions. It's often perceived as rude or harsh in general conversation.

Q

How do you form the Japanese Volitional Form (~よう) for Group 2 verbs?

For Group 2 verbs (which end in -ru), simply drop the final -ru and add ~よう. For example, 見る (miru) becomes 見よう (miyou), and 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べよう (tabeyou).

Q

Is ~な (na) an appropriate way to tell someone "don't do X" in most situations?

No, ~な (na) is an extremely blunt and direct negative command. It's often used by superiors to inferiors, in emergencies, or in very informal and sometimes aggressive contexts. For general polite requests or suggestions not to do something, gentler forms like ~ないでください (~naide kudasai) or ~ない方がいい (~nai hou ga ii) are preferred.

Cultural Context

In Japanese communication, direct commands are generally avoided in favor of more indirect and polite expressions. The Imperative Form (命令形) and the negative command ~な (na) are very strong and their use is highly restricted to specific social dynamics (e.g., parent to child, teacher to student in certain contexts, or in emergencies) or very informal, sometimes aggressive, male speech. You'll hear them frequently in anime, sports, or military contexts, but applying them broadly in daily interactions can be perceived as rude.
Instead, the Japanese Volitional Form (~よう) is a safe and common way to make friendly suggestions, and indirect requests using ~てください (~te kudasai) or questions like ~ませんか (~masen ka) are much more prevalent. Understanding these nuances is vital for effective and respectful communication in Japan.

Exemplos-chave (8)

1

Ashita, umi ni ikou!

Vamos à praia amanhã!

Vamos! A forma volitiva japonesa (~you)
2

Kyou wa ie de yukkuri yasumou to omou.

Acho que vou descansar em casa hoje.

Vamos! A forma volitiva japonesa (~you)
3

I'm thinking of studying abroad in Japan next year.

Estou pensando em estudar no Japão no ano que vem.

Pensando em fazer algo: Intenções (～ようと思う)
4

I'm tired today, so I think I'll go to bed early.

Acho que vou dormir cedo hoje porque estou cansado.

Pensando em fazer algo: Intenções (～ようと思う)
5

Densha ni norou to shita toki, doa ga shimatta.

Bem quando eu estava tentando entrar no trem, as portas fecharam.

Forma Volitiva Japonesa + to suru: Tentar ou Prestes a (-you to suru)
6

Kare wa jibun no hi wo mitomeyou to shinai.

Ele simplesmente não quer admitir o erro dele.

Forma Volitiva Japonesa + to suru: Tentar ou Prestes a (-you to suru)
7

{早|はや}く{行|い}け！

Vá rápido!

Imperativo em Japonês: Dominando Comandos Casuais (Meireikei)
8

もっと{頑張|加んば}れ！

Dê o seu melhor!

Imperativo em Japonês: Dominando Comandos Casuais (Meireikei)

Dicas e truques (4)

⚠️

A Armadilha da Hierarquia

Nunca use a forma casual com chefes ou professores. Soa muito rude! Prefira sempre o polido «食べましょう».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Vamos! A forma volitiva japonesa (~you)
🎯

A Estratégia do TikTok

Para soar como um nativo nas redes sociais, use ～ようかな para 'será que eu faço...' e ～ようと思う para 'acho que vou fazer'. «今日、何をしようかな。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pensando em fazer algo: Intenções (～ようと思う)
💡

A Gramática do 'Ops'

Se ouvir ～ようとした em uma história, espere um 'mas' (ga/kedo) logo depois. Isso prepara um erro ou interrupção: «食べようとしたけど、落とした。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forma Volitiva Japonesa + to suru: Tentar ou Prestes a (-you to suru)
⚠️

Regra do 'Suicídio Social'

Nunca use meireikei com chefes ou desconhecidos. É considerado extremamente agressivo e mal-educado, como dizer: «あっちに行け！»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativo em Japonês: Dominando Comandos Casuais (Meireikei)

Vocabulário-chave (6)

行こう(いこう) let's go しようとする to try to do 命令(めいれい) command 止(や)めろ stop it 入(はい)るな do not enter つもり intention/plan

Real-World Preview

users

Saturday Plans

Review Summary

  • Verb (Volitional) + よ/ね
  • Volitional + と思(おも)う
  • Volitional + とする
  • Verb (Imperative)
  • Dictionary form + な

Erros comuns

Volitional form is for casual settings. Use ～ましょう for superiors.

Wrong: 食(た)べようよ、先生(せんせい)。
Correto: 食(た)べましょう、先生(せんせい)。

Must use the volitional base before とする, not the dictionary form.

Wrong: 行(い)くしようとする。
Correto: 行(い)こうとする。

Negative imperative uses the dictionary form, not the imperative form.

Wrong: 食(た)べろな！
Correto: 食(た)べるな！

Next Steps

You have navigated the complexities of intent and command. Keep practicing these in your daily conversations!

Listen to a podcast and identify 3 suggestions.

Continue to: Defining Limits and Extremes

Prática rápida (10)

Complete a frase para significar 'Eu tentei dormir'.

{私|わたし}は{寝|ね}___とした。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: よう
O verbo é {寝る|ねる} (Grupo 2). Remova o ru e adicione you → neyou. A frase completa é neyou to shita.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forma Volitiva Japonesa + to suru: Tentar ou Prestes a (-you to suru)

Corrija o erro de conjugação.

{行こう|いこう}とするした。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {行こう|いこう}とした。
Você não precisa de suru E shita. Você apenas conjuga o suru no passado shita. Ikou to shita.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forma Volitiva Japonesa + to suru: Tentar ou Prestes a (-you to suru)

Encontre o erro neste comando: 'Não compre!'

Find and fix the mistake:

{買|か}わないな！

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {買|か}うな！
Você deve usar a forma de dicionário {買|か}う, não a forma negativa {買|か}わない.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pare! Comandos Negativos com ～na (な)

Preencha a lacuna com a forma volitiva correta.

{明日|あした}は{早|はや}く (______) と{思|おも}います。 (Verbo: {起|お}きる)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {起|お}きよう
{起|お}きる é um verbo do Grupo 2, então você remove o ~ru e adiciona ~you.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pensando em fazer algo: Intenções (～ようと思う)

Preencha o espaço para dizer a alguém para não 'comer' algo (comando forte).

それを___！ (Comer: {食|た}べる)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {食|た}べるな
Para formar o imperativo negativo, adicione な à forma de dicionário {食|た}べる.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pare! Comandos Negativos com ～na (な)

Passe o verbo para a forma volitiva casual.

{コーヒー|こーひー}を{飲|の}___。(Vamos beber café.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: もう
Para o verbo do Grupo 1 {飲む|のむ}, trocamos 'mu' por 'mo' e adicionamos 'u' para formar {飲もう|のもう}.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Vamos! A forma volitiva japonesa (~you)

Qual frase expressa uma intenção de longo prazo?

Escolha a frase mais natural para um objetivo que você tem há algum tempo:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {日本語|にほんご}の{先生|せんせい}になろうと{思|おも}っている。
～ている indica um estado contínuo de pensamento, perfeito para objetivos de longo prazo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pensando em fazer algo: Intenções (～ようと思う)

Corrija o erro nesta frase de intenção.

Find and fix the mistake:

{日本|にほん}に{行こう|いこう}たいです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {日本|にほん}に{行こう|いこう}と{思って|おもって}います。
Você não pode usar a forma volitiva direto com 'tai'. Para expressar intenção, use '~you to omotte imasu'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Vamos! A forma volitiva japonesa (~you)

Qual frase é correta para dizer 'Vamos comer' com um amigo?

Escolha o convite casual mais adequado:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {食べよう|たべよう}。
{食べよう|たべよう} é a forma volitiva casual. {食べましょう|たべましょう} é polida e {食べて|たべて} é um pedido/comando.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Vamos! A forma volitiva japonesa (~you)

Qual frase implica que a pessoa se recusa a ajudar?

Selecione a forma negativa correta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {彼|かれ}は{手伝おう|てつだおう}としない。
~ou to shinai significa 'não tenta' ou 'não mostra intenção de'. ~ou to shita significa que tentou.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forma Volitiva Japonesa + to suru: Tentar ou Prestes a (-you to suru)

Score: /10

Perguntas comuns (6)

Geralmente não no casual. Para 'Quer que eu te ajude?', é melhor usar o polido «手伝いましょうか» mesmo com amigos, ou o íntimo «手伝おうか» apenas com pessoas muito próximas.
Não. A forma volitiva exige vontade humana. Você não pode dizer 'Vamos chover' a menos que seja um deus do clima. Use a forma de dicionário para fenômenos naturais.
Depende do final! ～ようと思う é casual, enquanto ～ようと思います é polido. Use o segundo com quem não tem intimidade. «日本に行こうと思います。»
O jeito mais comum é dizer ～ないようにしようと思う ou usar um verbo como やめる (desistir/parar). Por exemplo: «飲まないようにしようと思う。»
Te miru significa que você realmente fez a ação para ver o resultado. You to suru é o esforço de começar, mas pode não ter terminado: «食べてみた» vs «食べようとした».
Não. Para esforços de longo prazo, use {勉強|べんきょう}している. You to suru é para o momento exato de abrir o livro: «勉強しようとする».
Capítulo anterior
The Passive Voice: Actions and Impacts
Próximo capítulo
Defining Limits and Extremes
Voltar ao roteiro