ようか〜まいか
(youka〜maika)
Whether to do or not to do
Usage Frequency
UNCOMMON
N2
JLPT
ようか〜まいか
(youka〜maika)
Whether to do or not to do
Usage Frequency
UNCOMMON
N2
JLPT
Definition
This grammar structure is used to express indecisiveness or internal debate about whether to do something or not.
How to Use
Verb in volitional form + か + Verb in negative volitional form + か
Formal Usage
Verb in volitional form + か + Verb in negative volitional form + か
Context, Limitations and Specificities
When to use?
Used when someone is trying to decide whether to do an action or not and is expressing this indecision.
Limitations and specificities
Typically used in written language or in more thoughtful, introspective speech.
Example Sentences
食べようか食べまいか。
たべようかたべまいか。
tabeyou ka tabemai ka.
Whether to eat or not to eat.
行こうか行くまいか。
いこうかいくまいか。
ikou ka ikumai ka.
Whether to go or not to go.
買おうか買うまいか。
かおうかかうまいか。
kaou ka kaumai ka.
Whether to buy or not to buy.
書こうか書くまいか。
かこうかかくまいか。
kakou ka kakumai ka.
Whether to write or not to write.
見ようか見まいか。
みようかみまいか。
miyou ka mimai ka.
Whether to see or not to see.
飲もうか飲むまいか。
のもうかのむまいか。
nomou ka nomumai ka.
Whether to drink or not to drink.
帰ろうか帰るまいか。
かえろうかかえるまいか。
kaerou ka kaerumai ka.
Whether to return home or not to return home.
出ようか出まいか。
でようかでまいか。
deyou ka demai ka.
Whether to go out or not to go out.
作ろうか作るまいか。
つくろうかつくるまいか。
tsukurou ka tsukurumai ka.
Whether to make or not to make.
読もうか読むまいか。
よもうかよむまいか。
yomou ka yomumai ka.
Whether to read or not to read.