Structure
Verb[ない] + か
Details
Part of Speech
Expression
Word Type
Sentence Ending Particle
Register
Polite
About ませんか
ませんか (or ないか more casually) is an expression that is used after verbs as an invitation. It basically translates to 'won't you do (A) with me?'.
This expression is a little bit different to ましょうか, in that it sounds directly like an invitation to do (A). ましょうか tends to sound more like a suggestion that (A) should be done.
It is recommended to use the ませんか version, as ないか would be a bit too casual to use with someone that you are not very close with (and is also technically not correct Japanese).
To make it clearer that the speaker wants to do (A) 'with' someone, expressions like 一緒に 'together' are often added, for clarification.
To examine the difference between ましょうか and ませんか, let's have a look at how the nuance changes in the same type of sentence.
Here, ませんか will come across as an invitation due to the fact that you are asking the person if they 'wouldn't mind doing (A)' with you. This is the main reason that it is considered a more polite option when inviting someone to do something, than ましょうか.
Synonyms
Examples
--:--
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
寿司を食べに行きませんか。
Won't you go eat sushi (with me)?
サッカーをしませんか。
Won't you play soccer (with me)?
一緒に文法を勉強しませんか。
Won't you study grammar with me?
お風呂に一緒に入りませんか。
Won't you take a bath with me?
金曜日に、買い物に行きませんか。
Won't you go shopping (with me) on Friday?
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
Offline
Genki I
Page 62
みんなの日本語 I
Page 44 [CH 6]
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 92
Marugoto Elementary 1 (A2) Rikai
Page 90
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
ませんか – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (8 in total)
MikkaT
I just wanted to say, that I believe there is a typo in the description.
image776×490 48.5 KBFuga
Hey there! This seemed like a typo on our end so we have just fixed it!
Tensor
Is ないですか a valid way to end this form? (How です can be added to the end of ない to make it more polite)
Got questions about ませんか? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion