Structure
Verb[ない] + か
Details
Part of Speech
Expression
Word Type
Sentence Ending Particle
Register
Polite
品詞
表現
単語の種類
終助詞
使用域
敬語
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
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?
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みんなの日本語 I
Page 44 [CH 6]
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ませんか – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
Pushindawood
@deltacat3 Hey! This just has to do with the note found on the grammar point’s Meaning page: “[Often used with 一緒に to clarify that the speaker wants to do something together].” Cheers!
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!
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