誘Asking, advising and rules
Let's
~ましょう invites someone or volunteers yourself. A small change turns it into “shall I?” or an even politer invitation.
Making it
Take the ます stem, add ましょう
Works with all verbs.
Let's go.
行きます → 行きましょう
Three uses
Same form, different meaning
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ~ましょう | Let's, or I will | 行きましょう |
| ~ましょうか | Shall we? or Shall I? | 持ちましょうか |
| ~ませんか | Won't you? (politest) | 行きませんか |
In use
Inviting and volunteering
Let's have lunch.
Shall I hold your coat?
Offering to do something.
Would you like to have lunch together?
Politest, leaving the other person free to decline.
I'll pay.
With が, you're volunteering: “I, not you.”
Declining and saying no
“Let's not”
To suggest not doing something, use 行くのはやめましょう, “Let's not go.” Saying you won't is usually just a plain negative: 行きません. In casual speech the same form is 行こう and 食べよう, which you'll meet in a later lesson on intentions.
Holding off
~ないでおきましょう
Let's not buy it today.
You're calling it off.
Let's hold off on buying it today.
Softer. You're choosing to leave things as they are for now.
Check yourself
What's happening here?
Your turn
ましょう or ました?
Say it yourself
Heavy bags
You see an elderly neighbor carrying heavy bags. Offer to carry them, then invite them for tea.
Automatic feedback on your own answers is coming to Premium.