Structure
Verb[おう] + ではないか
Verb[おう] + じゃないか
Details
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Formal
使用域
硬い
About 〜ようではないか
ようではないか is a construction that will primarily be used for making suggestions for mutual activities. This is a combination of either of the auxiliary verbs う or よう, ではない, and the sentence-ending particle, か. う and よう primarily express will or intent like 'shall' in English. Due to the negation following them, the literal translation will be similar to 'shall we not do (A)?'. For ease of translation, this structure can be remembered as simply 'let's do (A)', or 'why don't we do (A)'.
As with all structures that use う or よう, ようではないか will be attached to the end of a verb indicating the action which is being suggested.
As with all structures that use う or よう, ようではないか will be attached to the end of a verb indicating the action which is being suggested.
- 正々堂々と戦おうではないか。Why don't we fight fair and square?
- この問題をどう解決するかみんなで考えようではないか。Why don't we all think about how we can solve this problem?
- こういう時こそお互い助け合おうじゃないか。Why don't we help each other, especially in times like this.
- せっかく日本に来たのだから、食べれるだけの日本食を食べようじゃないか。Since we have come all the way to Japan, why don't we eat as much Japanese food as we can.
Fun-fact - Occasionally, this grammar structure may be seen preceded by もらう. In these cases, it is usually challenging the listener to do something. This can be interpreted as 'why don't I have you do (A) then'.
- もっと綺麗に壁紙の張り替えができるのなら、張り替えてもらおうではないか。If you think that you're able to reapply the wallpaper better, then why don't I just get you to do it?
- 乗せていってくれるって言っているんだから乗せて行ってもらおうではないか。They said that they will give us a ride, so why don't we have them give us a ride.
Synonyms
Examples
共に素晴らしい世界を創っていこうではないか。
Why don't we (go and) build a wonderful world together.
日本語を身につけるために頑張ろうではないか。
Why don't we try our best in order to learn Japanese.
遊んでばかりいないで勉強でもしようではないか。
Instead of doing nothing but play, why don't we do something like study.
彼の成功を信じようではないか。
Why don't we trust that he will be successful?
勝手に判断せず、診断が出るのを待とうではないか。
Why don't we wait for the diagnosis, without passing arbitrary judgment?
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「うちに、~うではないか、あり得ない, and others」
Nihongoの森 [video]
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