Suggesting: 〜ましょう・〜ませんか
Verb-ましょう／Verb-ませんか
～ましょう = let's (a confident suggestion). ～ませんか = would you like to…? (a polite invitation). Polite refusal: ちょっと…
In short
〜ましょう = “let's…” (an enthusiastic suggestion). 〜ませんか = “would you like to…?” (literally “won't you…?”), a softer, very polite invitation.
- いっしょに 行きましょう。issho ni ikimashōLet's go together.
- おちゃを 飲みませんか。ocha o nomimasen kaWould you like to have some tea?
- ここで 休みましょう。koko de yasumimashōLet's rest here.
～ましょう: let's!
By replacing ます with ましょう, you suggest doing something together, with enthusiasm: “let's go”, “let's eat”. You use it when you're fairly sure the other person agrees.
- いっしょに 行きましょう。issho ni ikimashōLet's go together.
- ちょっと 休みましょう。chotto yasumimashōLet's take a short break.
～ませんか: a polite invitation
The negative form + か (literally “won't you…?”) is the most polite way to invite someone. It leaves the other person free to say no. It's the one to use for a first invitation.
- いっしょに えいがを 見ませんか。issho ni eiga o mimasen kaWould you like to see a film with me?
- コーヒーを 飲みませんか。kōhī o nomimasen kaShall we have a coffee?
Accepting and declining
People often accept with ましょう, and decline without saying no: you start giving the reason and leave the sentence hanging with ちょっと…
| Answer | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ええ、行きましょう。 | Yes, let's go. |
| いいですね。 | Good idea. |
| すみません、あしたは ちょっと… | Sorry, tomorrow is a bit… (polite refusal) |
Common mistakes
- Inviting with たいですか (“do you want to…?”): it's blunt, ませんか is more natural.
- Taking ませんか for a real negative question: it's an invitation.
- Declining with a bare いいえ: people prefer ちょっと… and an apology.
5 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N5 point is on the Asakusa Line (Actions) of the Tokyo subway.