ようか～まいか

The structure ようか～まいか expresses indecision or hesitation about whether or not to do something. It conveys the speaker's internal debate – "Should I do it, or should I not?" – and is used when someone is wavering between two options.

The first part uses the volitional form of the verb (いこう行こう, たべよう食べよう, しよう), and the second part uses まい, a literary/formal negative volitional auxiliary meaning "will not" or "shall not."

Formation

• Godan (V5) verbs: Volitional + か + dictionary form + まいか

  • いく行く → 行こうか行くまいか

• Ichidan (V1) verbs: Volitional + か + dictionary form (or stem) + まいか

  • たべる食べる → 食べようか食べるまいか (食べまいか is also possible)
• する: しようかするまいか (sometimes しようかすまいか)
• 来る: 来（こ）ようか来（く）るまいか

The verb before まい is typically in dictionary form for godan verbs and can be either dictionary form or stem for ichidan verbs. For する, both するまい and すまい are acceptable.

Usage notes

This pattern is commonly paired with verbs expressing indecision such as まよう迷う (to waver), なやむ悩む (to worry/agonize), and かんがえる考える (to think/consider).

The pattern has a somewhat literary or formal tone due to the use of まい. In casual conversation, speakers might instead use ～かどうか or ～か～ないか to express the same idea. However, ようか～まいか emphasizes the weight of the deliberation more strongly.