ましょう
mashou
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
"Let's ~" (suggestion including the speaker); also a willing offer in reply to a request.
ます-stem + ましょう means "let's ...": 食べましょう "let's eat". It suggests doing something together and includes the speaker. It is also used to accept a suggestion (じゃあ、行きましょう) and to offer help in reply to a request (私が持ちましょう "I'll carry it").
Making plans with friends or colleagues, class instructions (始めましょう "let's begin"), and agreeing to a proposal.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V-ます + ましょう
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ましょう | 食べましょう | let's eat (firm proposal) |
| ませんか | 食べませんか | won't you eat? (gentle invitation) |
| ましょうか | 食べましょうか | shall we eat? / shall I...? |
Natural examples
一緒に昼ご飯を食べましょう。
いっしょに ひるごはんを たべましょう。
Let's have lunch together.
食べます → 食べ + ましょう.
じゃあ、駅の前で会いましょう。
じゃあ、えきの まえで あいましょう。
Then let's meet in front of the station.
Accepting a plan: "then let's meet".
少し休みましょう。
すこし やすみましょう。
Let's rest a little.
休みます → 休み + ましょう.
では、授業を始めましょう。
では、じゅぎょうを はじめましょう。
Well then, let's begin the class.
A teacher's standard opening.
A：手伝ってください。 B：はい、手伝いましょう。
てつだってください。 はい、てつだいましょう。
Please help me. — Sure, I'll help.
ましょう as a willing offer.
Similar grammar and the difference
Gentler invitation that leaves the choice to the listener. Compare side by side
Adds か: "shall we / shall I?". Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 食べるましょう
- ✓
- 食べましょう
- Why
- ましょう attaches to the ます-stem.
- ✗
- 田中さんは行きましょう。
- ✓
- 田中さんも一緒に行きましょう。
- Why
- ましょう includes the speaker; it cannot describe a third person's action.
- ✗
- ましょうか (to a superior for a joint plan)
- ✓
- 〜ませんか
- Why
- For inviting a superior, ませんか is more polite than ましょう.
Plain volitional: 食べよう, 行こう (N4). ましょう is a firm proposal; 〜ませんか (#45) is a gentler invitation that leaves the choice to the listener.
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- Words like 一緒に, じゃあ, そろそろ before the blank point to ましょう.
- If the dialogue has 〜ませんか followed by ええ、〜ましょう, the answer to the second blank is ましょう.
Frequently asked questions
What does ましょう mean?
"Let's ~" (suggestion including the speaker); also a willing offer in reply to a request. ます-stem + ましょう means "let's ...": 食べましょう "let's eat". It suggests doing something together and includes the speaker. It is also used to accept a suggestion (じゃあ、行きましょう) and to offer help in reply to a request (私が持ちましょう "I'll carry it").
How do you form ましょう?
V-ます + ましょう. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is ましょう used?
Making plans with friends or colleagues, class instructions (始めましょう "let's begin"), and agreeing to a proposal.
What is the difference between ましょう and ませんか?
Gentler invitation that leaves the choice to the listener.
What is the difference between ましょう and ましょうか?
Adds か: "shall we / shall I?".
What is a common mistake with ましょう?
Wrong: 食べるましょう Right: 食べましょう ましょう attaches to the ます-stem.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 一緒に 昼ご飯を（ ）。