よう

Noun

よう (rōmaji yō)

1. 用: business, engagement
2. 幼: young; young children
3. 洋: ocean
4. 要: cornerstone; requirement
5. 俑: wooden figure buried with the dead
6. 様: way, style, appearance
7. 葉: leaf, needle, blade (of a plant)
8. 陽: yang, sun, light
9. 癰: carbuncle

Counter

よう (rōmaji -yō)

1. 葉: (rare) counter for flat, thin things such as leaves or paper; (by extension) counter for small boats

Verb

よう (godan conjugation, rōmaji you)

1. 酔う: to get drunk

Adjective

よう (-na inflection, rōmaji yō)

1. 様: be like, look like, seem like, as if, having the likeness of

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [jo̞ː]

Verb

よう (rōmaji yō)

1. (auxiliary) Expressing one's will to do something.

   そろそろ寝 (ね)よう。

   Sorosoro neyō.

   I go to bed before long.

   そうしよう。

   Sōshiyō.

   I will do so.

   美 (お)味 (い)しいものを食 (た)べようと思 (おも)っています。

   Oishī mono o tabeyō to omotte imasu.

   I'm thinking about eating something delicious.

   出 (で)かけようとした時 (とき)、電 (でん)話 (わ)がかかってきた。

   Dekakeyō to shita toki, denwa ga kakatte kita.

   I got a phone call when I was about to go out.

2. (auxiliary) Inducing or stimulating other person to do something.

   さあ、始 (はじ)めよう。

   Sā, hajimeyō.

   Let's get started.

3. (auxiliary) Presenting a supposition.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [jo̞ː]

Interjection

よう (rōmaji yō)

1. A very informal greeting similar to yo.

   よう、元 (げん)気 (き)？

   Yō, genki?

   Yo! Howdy?

2. A very informal (rude) interjection similar to hey.

   よう、待 (ま)てよ。

   Yō, mateyo.

   Hey, wait.