Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 9: 1/13

ましょう

Let's, Shall we (Polite volitional)

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb[ます+ ましょう

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Auxiliary Verb

  • Word Type

    Dependent Word

  • Register

    Polite

  • 品詞

    助動詞

  • 単語の種類

    付属語

  • 使用域

    敬語

About ましょう

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' (when used with a verb). It is often translated as 'let's (A)', or 'shall we (A)?'. To use ましょう, we will simply need to change ます to ましょう, when conjugating the verb.
  • モール()ましょう
    Let's go to the mall!
  • (おど)ましょう
    Shall we dance? (Said with a rising tone to indicate that it is a question)
Despite regularly being translated as 'shall we (A)?', ましょう does not specifically target another person, and can also be used as a declaration that (A) will be done/needs to be done. This use reflects the base meaning of ましょう, which is the polite volitional form (deliberately/purposefully doing something).
  • 5キロ()ましょう
    I will lose 5 kg! (I shall do it!)
In this example, the speaker is expressing to themselves that they 'will' do something, and are strongly resolved to make it happen (similar to 'I shall' in English).

Examples

  • サッカーましょう

    Let's play soccer.

  • このレストラン寿司(すし)()ましょう

    Let's eat sushi at this restaurant.

  • ごはん()ましょう

    Let's eat.

  • バス()ましょう

    Let's go by bus.

  • (むずか)しい漢字(かんじ)(おぼ)ましょう

    Let's memorize difficult kanji.

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ましょう – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    About 5 years ago

    @Marcus Nice find! Fixed. Cheers!

  • sansarret

    sansarret

    About 3 years ago

    Dear bunpro admin, the link to Misa’s video is private:

    Being her fun, I found more recent video:


    it’s a bit long (33 min), and she covers both informal and polite forms there, along with ~ましょうか which is grammar point #75.

    She mentions at the beginning that she did not like the old video and that one is redo, so maybe that’s the reason...

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    About 3 years ago

    Thank you for letting us know and providing the link to the new video! I have updated the Readings section to include the link that you shared. Cheers!

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