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

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    Polite

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

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    日本語(にほんご)(はな)しましょうか

    Shall we speak in Japanese?

    明日(あした)ビーチに()きましょうか

    Shall we go to the beach tomorrow?

    インド料理(りょうり)()べにいきましょうか

    Shall we go and eat Indian food?

    9時(くじ)(まえ)(かえ)りましょうか

    Shall we go home before nine o'clock?

    図書館(としょかん)勉強(べんきょう)しましょうか

    Shall we study at the library?

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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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