Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 7: 19/21

う・よう + ではないかLet's do something, Why don't we

Structure

Verb［おう］ + ではないか
Verb［おう］ + じゃないか

Details

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    Formal

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.

Alternatively, the abbreviated form of じゃない may be used in place of ではない.

Despite this, ようではないか is primarily a formal grammar structure, so will most often use the unabbreviated version, or even more polite ようではありませんか construction.

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(きれい)に壁紙(かべがみ)の張(は)り替(か)えができるのなら、張(は)り替(か)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(の)せていってくれるって言(い)っているんだから乗(の)せて行(い)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.

Examples

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    彼(かれ)の成功(せいこう)を信(しん)じようではないか。

    Why don't we trust that he will be successful?

    共(とも)に素晴(すば)らしい世界(せかい)を創(つく)っていこうではないか。

    Why don't we (go and) build a wonderful world together.

    日本語(にほんご)を身(み)につけるために頑張(がんば)ろうではないか。

    Why don't we try our best in order to learn Japanese.

    この瀬戸物(せともの)をちゃんと鑑定(かんてい)してもらおうではないか。

    Why don't we get this porcelain appraised?

    意見(いけん)の相違(そうい)があっても、話(はな)し合(あ)おうではないか。

    Even if our opinions differ, why don't we discuss it?

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