Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 9: 2/13

ましょうか

Shall we, Shall I

Structure

Verb[ます+ ましょう

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 ~ましょうか

As covered in our ましょう lesson, ましょう is one of the conjugations of the auxiliary verb ます, and is a common (polite) way to suggest that something be done 'together'.

Adding the particle to this expression simply changes the nuance from 'let's', to 'shall we?', and is more of a direct question than ましょう by itself.

Like ましょう, this expression can be added to the ます stem form of any verb.

One thing to note with these examples is that they are 'suggestions', not 'invitations'. In Japanese there is a slight difference between the two, in the same way that there is in English. If you want to invite someone to do something, the most natural way would be to use ませんか, a phrase that is similar to ましょうか.

The difference here is that 'won't you do (A)?' has a stronger nuance of being a direct invitation, while ましょうか is closer to just 'let's do (A)!'

Examples

  • 寿司(すし)()べに()ましょうか

    Shall we go eat some sushi?

  • 日本語(にほんご)(はな)ましょうか

    Shall we speak in Japanese?

  • 明日(あした)ビーチに()ましょうか

    Shall we go to the beach tomorrow?

  • インド料理(りょうり)()べに()ましょうか

    Shall we go for Indian?

  • ()(まえ)(かえ)ましょうか

    Shall we go home before nine o'clock?

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~ましょうか – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    You are absolutely right! I have updated the alternative answers for this sentence. Cheers!

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