Polite Invitations: The 'Let's' Form (~mashou)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The ~mashou form is the polite way to say 'Let's do something' or suggest an action to others.
- For polite invitations, change the verb ending to ~mashou: {行きます|いきます} → {行きましょう|いきましょう}.
- To ask a question, add the particle 'ka' to the end: {行きましょうか|いきましょうか} (Shall we go?).
- The negative form is ~mashou + 'ka' or 'dewa arimasen' depending on context, but usually we use ~masen ka for polite suggestions.
Overview
The ~mashou ({ましょう}) form in Japanese is a fundamental expression of polite volition. It signifies a speaker's suggestion, invitation, or shared intention, implicitly including the listener in the proposed action. This construction is crucial for navigating social interactions where politeness and collaboration are valued.
At its core, ~mashou conveys a sense of "Let's..." or "Shall we...?", functioning as the polite counterpart to the casual volitional forms (~ou/~you). Its inherent politeness makes it appropriate for interactions with acquaintances, colleagues, or individuals of similar or slightly higher social standing. It bridges the communicative gap between merely stating an action (~masu) and issuing a direct command, fostering mutual agreement and a shared sense of purpose.
For learners at the A2 CEFR level, mastering ~mashou unlocks the ability to actively engage in planning and group activities.
This grammatical structure is not merely a linguistic conjugation; it reflects a deep-seated cultural emphasis on group harmony and indirect communication. By proposing an action as a collective endeavor, the speaker demonstrates consideration for the listener's autonomy and opinions, making the interaction smoother and more respectful.
How This Grammar Works
~mashou form operates primarily on the principle of volition, specifically conveying a shared or proposed will. Unlike the declarative ~masu form, which expresses a fact or an individual's action, ~mashou shifts the focus to a collective future action. The speaker initiates an idea, implicitly inviting the listener's participation and agreement.~mashou derives directly from the polite ~masu verb ending. It functions as a hortatory or jussive mood, actively encouraging or suggesting an action. The implied agent is typically "we" (the speaker and listener), although context can broaden this to a larger group.~mashou intrinsically conveys respect and consideration, framing the action as a joint venture rather than a unilateral decision.行きます (ikimasu, "I will go/I go") and 行きましょう (ikimashou, "Let's go"). The former is a statement about the speaker's individual action or routine. The latter transforms this into a proposition, seeking the listener's agreement and participation.~mashou's role in facilitating cooperative communication. For instance, in a professional setting, この 課題を進めます (Kono kadai o susumemasu, "I will proceed with this task") states your individual plan. In contrast, この 課題を進めましょう (Kono kadai o susumemashou, "Let's proceed with this task") suggests a joint effort or collective decision, inviting team members to contribute.~mashou.~mashou plays a vital role in conversational flow. When someone proposes an action using ~mashou or ~masenka, responding with ~mashou (e.g., はい、そうしましょう, "Yes, let's do that") is a common and polite way to express agreement and acceptance. This reciprocal usage reinforces the collaborative nature of the interaction.ka ({か}) can be appended to ~mashou to soften the suggestion, turning it into a direct question like "Shall we...?" or "Do you want to...?" This allows for greater deference and seeks explicit consent from the listener, making the proposal less assertive.Formation Pattern
~mashou expression is straightforward, building directly upon your knowledge of the polite ~masu form of verbs. The general rule involves taking the verb stem that precedes ~masu and attaching ~mashou.
~masu form.
~masu ending.
~mashou ({ましょう}) to the remaining verb stem.
suru ({する}) and kuru ({くる}).
~masu Form | Stem (after removing ~masu) | ~mashou Form | Meaning |
食べる (taberu) | 食べます (tabemasu) | 食べ (tabe) | 食べましょう (tabemashou) | Let's eat |
見る (miru) | 見ます (mimasu) | 見 (mi) | 見ましょう (mimashou) | Let's watch/see |
行く (iku) | 行きます (ikimasu) | 行き (iki) | 行きましょう (ikimashou) | Let's go |
飲む (nomu) | 飲みます (nomimasu) | 飲み (nomi) | 飲みましょう (nomimashou) | Let's drink |
する (suru) | します (shimasu) | し (shi) | しましょう (shimashou) | Let's do |
来る (kuru) | 来ます (kimasu) | 来 (ki) | 来ましょう (kimashou) | Let's come |
~masu form, forming ~mashou is a simple and uniform step. It's crucial to remember that ~mashou is a verbal conjugation, specifically modifying a verb. It cannot be directly attached to nouns or adjectives to express volition. For instance, to say "Let's make it quiet" using an adjective like 静か (shizuka, quiet), you would need to verbalize it, such as 静かにしましょう (Shizuka ni shimashou, "Let's make it quiet/Let's be quiet"). This involves using suru ({する}) as the verb to which ~mashou is attached.
When To Use It
~mashou form is highly versatile and serves several key communicative functions, primarily centered around expressing shared action or intent. Understanding these contexts will significantly improve your ability to engage in natural and effective Japanese conversations.~mashou. You use it to propose an activity to one or more individuals, politely inviting them to participate with you. The suggestion is gentle, assuming a degree of willingness from the listener, and is less demanding than a direct command.週末に映画を見ましょうか。(Shuumatsu ni eiga o mimashou ka.) – "Shall we watch a movie this weekend?" (Thekasoftens the suggestion, making it a question.)そろそろ出発しましょう。(Sorosoro shuppatsu shimashou.) – "Let's depart soon." (Said to a group, indicating collective action and a shared timeline.)喫茶店で話をしましょう。(Kissaten de hanashi o shimashou.) – "Let's talk at the coffee shop." (A direct yet polite invitation to engage in conversation.)
~mashou or ~masenka, responding with ~mashou is a polite and often enthusiastic way to accept. It signals your agreement and willingness to join the proposed plan, reinforcing the collaborative nature of the interaction.- A:
今日、晩ご飯を食べましょうか。(Kyou, bangohan o tabemashou ka?) – "Shall we eat dinner tonight?"
ええ、ぜひ 食べましょう！ (Ee, zehi tabemashou!) – "Yes, let's definitely eat!" (An enthusiastic acceptance.)いいですね、そうしましょう。(Ii desu ne, sou shimashou.) – "That sounds good, let's do that." (A general expression of agreement and commitment to a proposed action.)
~mashou can transform a direct instruction into a more collaborative suggestion. This is particularly common from teachers to students, or from a leader to their team, fostering a more positive and engaging atmosphere by implying shared effort rather than unilateral direction.皆さん、教科書の15ページを開けましょう。(Minasan, kyoukasho no juugo peeji o akemashou.) – "Everyone, let's open page 15 of your textbook." (A teacher's instruction, gently guiding students.)まず、ここから始めましょう。(Mazu, koko kara hajimemashou.) – "First, let's start from here." (A project leader proposing a starting point for collective work.)
~mashou can also convey a personal resolve or encourage oneself, especially in polite or semi-formal internal monologues. This often occurs with verbs related to effort or perseverance.よし、明日から頑張りましょう！(Yoshi, ashita kara ganbarimashou!) – "Alright, let's do our best from tomorrow!" (A personal resolution, or shared encouragement within a close group.)早く寝ましょう。(Hayaku nemashou.) – "Let's sleep early." (Could be a polite suggestion to a family member, or a self-reminder and resolve.)
~mashou allows for proposals without being overly assertive, offering a gentle way to suggest an action while respecting the listener's autonomy. It is less confrontational than directly asking "Will you do X?" or stating "I want to do X." This makes ~mashou an essential tool for polite social negotiation and fostering positive interpersonal relationships.Common Mistakes
~mashou is a frequent source of errors for Japanese learners, often leading to unintended implications or impolite communication. Becoming aware of these common pitfalls is vital for developing accurate and natural usage.~mashou with a Simple Future Tense ("I will..."):~mashou does not function as a general future tense indicator for the speaker's singular, determined action. Its core meaning always implies a shared action or suggestion. If you intend to state what you will do alone, the simple ~masu form is appropriate for polite speech, or the plain form (~u/~ru) for casual contexts.- Incorrect:
明日、図書館に行きましょう。(Intended: "I will go to the library tomorrow.") - Why it's wrong: To a native speaker, this phrase inherently means "Let's go to the library tomorrow," implying an invitation for them to join you.
- Correct:
明日、図書館に行きます。(Ashita, toshokan ni ikimasu.) – "I will go to the library tomorrow." (Simple statement of individual future action.)
~mashou is a polite form, its directness in proposing an action can sometimes be perceived as presumptuous when addressing someone of significantly higher status (e.g., your boss, a senior colleague, or an elder). It carries an implicit assumption that they will agree and participate. This can inadvertently challenge their authority or imply an equal footing that might not exist.- Potentially inappropriate:
来週、会議を始めましょう。(Raishuu, kaigi o hajimemashou.) – "Let's start the meeting next week." (If you are not the person who would normally make this decision, it can sound forward or even disrespectful.) - Better alternatives: For invitations or suggestions to superiors,
~masenka({ませんか}) or a more formal consultative phrase is generally safer.~masenkaexplicitly offers them a choice and seeks their opinion, making it more deferential. For example,来週、会議を始めませんか。(Raishuu, kaigi o hajimemasenka.) – "Won't you start the meeting next week?" or "Shall we start the meeting next week?" is a softer, more respectful approach.
~mashou with close friends or family members with whom you typically converse casually can sound stiff, distant, or even sarcastic. Politeness levels in Japanese must align with the relationship and context to ensure natural and appropriate communication.- Awkward with friends:
一緒にコーヒーを飲みましょう。(Issho ni koohii o nomimashou.) – "Let's drink coffee together." (If you usually use casual speech with this friend, this might sound overly formal or even slightly passive-aggressive.) - More natural with friends:
一緒にコーヒー飲もう。(Issho ni koohii nomou.) – "Let's drink coffee together." (Using the casual volitional~ou/~youis appropriate here.)
~mashou form (e.g., you cannot say *tabemashou masen). To express "Let's not do X," you must use alternative grammatical constructions that convey the idea of refraining from an action.- Incorrect:
*食べませんでしょう。 - Correct methods:
- To propose stopping an action: Use the plain form of the verb +
のはやめましょう(~no wa yamemashou, literally "Let's stop doing X"). - Example:
無駄遣いするのはやめましょう。(Mudadzukai suru no wa yamemashou.) – "Let's stop wasting money." or "Let's not waste money." - To propose not doing something (leaving it undone): Use the
~naideform of the verb +おきましょう(~okimashou). - Example:
今日は雨だから、外出しないでおきましょう。(Kyou wa ame dakara, gaishutsu shinaide okimashou.) – "Since it's raining today, let's not go out." (Literally: "Let's leave going out undone.")
~tai desu ("I want to..."):~mashou and ~tai desu (~tai desu) express a desire related to an action, their subjects and implications are fundamentally different. ~tai desu expresses the speaker's personal desire, whereas ~mashou proposes a shared action involving the listener.寿司が食べたいです。(Sushi ga tabetai desu.) – "I want to eat sushi." (Speaker's individual desire.)寿司を食べましょう。(Sushi o tabemashou.) – "Let's eat sushi." (Suggestion for a shared action.)
Real Conversations
To truly internalize the function of ~mashou, it is essential to observe its application in authentic, modern Japanese communication. These examples illustrate its versatility and nuance across various real-life scenarios, extending beyond textbook-perfect sentences.
Scenario 1
A
今日、仕事が終わったら、一杯飲みましょうか？ (Kyou, shigoto ga owattara, ippai nomimashou ka?) – "After work today, shall we go for a drink?" (Soft invitation using ~mashou ka.)B
いいですね！ぜひ！行きましょう。 (Ii desu ne! Zehi! Ikimashou.) – "Sounds good! Definitely! Let's go." (Enthusiastic acceptance using ~mashou.)- Observation: This interaction demonstrates ~mashou's utility in modern, quick communication like texting, where it efficiently conveys a friendly, polite suggestion and acceptance.
Scenario 2
Manager
この プロジェクトの次のステップについて、何か意見はありますか？ (Kono purojekuto no tsugi no suteppu ni tsuite, nanika iken wa arimasu ka?) – "Do you have any opinions on the next step for this project?"Team Member
はい。まず、現状を整理しましょう。それから改善策を考えましょう。 (Hai. Mazu, genjou o seiri shimashou. Sore kara kaizensaku o kangaemashou.) – "Yes. First, let's organize the current situation. Then, let's consider improvement measures." (Proposing a sequential, collaborative plan.)- Observation: Here, ~mashou structures a proposed plan within a professional context. It's polite and collaborative, framing the tasks as collective responsibilities.
Scenario 3
Teacher
皆さん、教科書の隣のページを開けましょう。 (Minasan, kyoukasho no tonari no peeji o akemashou.) – "Everyone, let's open the next page of your textbook." (A gentle instruction, fostering a sense of shared activity.)- Observation: This is a classic example of ~mashou being used to deliver instructions in a way that is less like a command and more like a shared, guided activity, maintaining a positive learning environment.
Scenario 4
Friend A
最近、全然運動してないんだ。 (Saikin, zenzen undou shitenain da.) – "Lately, I haven't been exercising at all."Friend B
私も！じゃあ、明日から一緒にジムに行きましょうか？ (Watashi mo! Jaa, ashita kara issho ni jimu ni ikimashou ka?) – "Me too! Well then, shall we go to the gym together starting tomorrow?" (A suggestion for a shared activity, offering mutual motivation.)- Observation: ~mashou ka is used to propose a shared activity born from a common problem, implicitly offering mutual support and encouragement. The common phrase 頑張りましょう (Ganbarimashou!) is another strong example of this self or group exhortation.
Scenario 5
Staff
何かお困りですか。 (Nanika okomari desu ka.) – "Are you in some trouble?" (Are you experiencing any difficulty?)Customer
すみません、この資料の場所が分かりません。 (Sumimasen, kono shiryou no basho ga wakarimasen.) – "Excuse me, I don't know where these materials are."Staff
かしこまりました。では、一緒に探しましょう。 (Kashikomarimashita. Dewa, issho ni sagashimashou.) – "Understood. In that case, let's search for it together." (A polite offer of assistance, emphasizing shared effort.)- Observation: In a formal context, ~mashou can be used to politely offer help, framing the assistance as a collaborative effort rather than a one-sided service.
These examples collectively demonstrate that ~mashou is not merely a grammatical rule but a vital component of Japanese social interaction, facilitating cooperation, politeness, and shared purpose across a diverse range of formal and informal settings.
Quick FAQ
~mashou, providing clarity on its application and distinctions from similar expressions.~mashou with my boss or someone of much higher status?You can, but it requires careful consideration of context and nuance. If you are proposing a collective action that both you and your superior are genuinely equally part of (e.g., この 資料を確認しましょう – "Let's confirm these materials"), it can be appropriate. However, if your superior is being asked to make a decision, or if your suggestion implies directing them, ~masenka ({ませんか}) is generally a safer and more deferential choice. ~masenka presents an invitation as a question, explicitly offering them the option to accept or decline, thereby respecting their higher status. For instance, ランチに行きませんか？ (Ranchi ni ikimasenka?) – "Won't you go to lunch?" or "Shall we go to lunch?" is a softer, more polite way to invite a superior.
~mashou the exact equivalent of "Let's" in English?Largely, yes, in its core meaning of proposing a shared action. However, the English "Let's" can occasionally carry a stronger, almost commanding tone (e.g., "Let's be quiet!"). The Japanese ~mashou is inherently more polite and collaborative. While it can soften an instruction from a teacher, it rarely conveys the same level of direct command as some English uses. The nuance in Japanese consistently leans towards shared intent, consideration, and harmony rather than assertive direction.
~mashou?No, there is no direct negative ~mashou form. Japanese employs alternative constructions to convey the idea of not doing something collectively:
- To propose stopping an action: Use the plain form of the verb +
のはやめましょう(~no wa yamemashou). This literally translates to "Let's stop the act of doing X." - Example:
時間を無駄にするのはやめましょう。(Jikan o muda ni suru no wa yamemashou.) – "Let's stop wasting time." - To propose not doing something (leaving it undone): Use the verb's
~naideform +おきましょう(~okimashou). This translates to "Let's leave X undone." - Example:
今日は雨だから、外出しないでおきましょう。(Kyou wa ame dakara, gaishutsu shinaide okimashou.) – "Since it's raining today, let's not go out."
~mashou, ~mashou ka, and ~masenka?These related forms carry distinct nuances that are crucial for polite and effective communication:
~mashou({ましょう}): "Let's do X." This is a direct suggestion or proposal for a shared action. It implies a relatively strong assumption that the listener will likely agree or join. It's a more decisive way to initiate a joint activity.- Example:
始めましょう。(Hajimemashou.) – "Let's start." ~mashou ka({ましょうか}): "Shall we do X?" or "Shall I do X (for you)?" The addition ofka({か}) softens the suggestion, transforming it into a question. It explicitly seeks the listener's opinion or permission and can also be used to politely offer help. It is less decisive and more consultative than plain~mashou.- Example:
何か手伝いましょうか。(Nanika tetsudaimashou ka?) – "Shall I help you with something?" (Offering help). ~masenka({ませんか}): "Won't you do X?" or "Would you like to do X?" This is a polite invitation that focuses on the listener's desire and explicitly gives them a clear option to accept or decline. It is generally the most polite and indirect way to invite someone to do something with you, making it suitable for situations requiring particular deference or where you wish to avoid presuming agreement.- Example:
一緒に食事に行きませんか。(Issho ni shokuji ni ikimasenka?) – "Won't you go to eat with me?" (A polite invitation).
~mashou imply certainty of action?~mashou implies the speaker's intention for a shared action, or a mutual agreement to perform an action. However, it does not guarantee that the action will actually occur, as external factors can always intervene. It represents a proposal or a commitment to a plan, not an infallible prediction of future events. Its certainty is tied to the intent at the moment of utterance, reflecting a shared will, rather than a prophetic declaration of what will happen.
~mashou be used to express the future tense?Only indirectly, and only when the future action is a shared volitional one. It is critical to understand that ~mashou is not a general future tense indicator in Japanese. If you want to state a simple future fact or your individual future plan, you should use the ~masu form. For instance, 明日は晴れます。 (Ashita wa haremasu.) – "It will be sunny tomorrow." (A simple future fact). You would never say 明日|あした}は晴れましょう。 (Ashita wa haremashou.). The core meaning of ~mashou is always centered on "let's" or "shall we," fundamentally implying a collective will, proposal, or suggestion, not a neutral statement about the future.
Verb Conjugation to ~mashou
| Verb Type | Dictionary Form | Masu Stem | Volitional (~mashou) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Group 1
|
行く (iku)
|
行き (iki)
|
行きましょう (ikimashou)
|
|
Group 1
|
飲む (nomu)
|
飲み (nomi)
|
飲みましょう (nomimashou)
|
|
Group 2
|
食べる (taberu)
|
食べ (tabe)
|
食べましょう (tabemashou)
|
|
Group 2
|
見る (miru)
|
見 (mi)
|
見ましょう (mimashou)
|
|
Group 3
|
する (suru)
|
し (shi)
|
しましょう (shimashou)
|
|
Group 3
|
来る (kuru)
|
来 (ki)
|
来ましょう (kimashou)
|
Meanings
The ~mashou form expresses a suggestion or an invitation to perform an action together with the listener.
Invitation
Suggesting a joint activity.
“{昼|ひる}ご飯を{食|た}べましょう。”
“{公園|こうえん}で{遊|あそ}びましょう。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + ましょう
|
行きましょう
|
|
Question
|
Stem + ましょうか
|
行きましょうか
|
|
Negative Suggestion
|
Stem + ませんか
|
行きませんか
|
|
Polite Request
|
Stem + てください
|
行ってください
|
|
Casual Volitional
|
Dictionary + う/よう
|
行こう
|
Formality Spectrum
{行きましょう|いきましょう} (Going out)
{行きましょう|いきましょう} (Going out)
{行こう|いこう} (Going out)
{行こ！|いこ！} (Going out)
The Mashou Concept
Social
- 食事 Meal
Work
- 会議 Meeting
Examples by Level
{行|い}きましょう。
Let's go.
{食|た}べましょう。
Let's eat.
{飲|の}みましょう。
Let's drink.
{見|み}ましょう。
Let's watch.
{明日|あした}、{会|あ}いましょうか。
Shall we meet tomorrow?
{公園|こうえん}で{遊|あそ}びましょう。
Let's play at the park.
{日本語|にほんご}で{話|はな}しましょう。
Let's speak in Japanese.
{休|やす}みましょう。
Let's take a break.
{会議|かいぎ}を{始|はじ}めましょう。
Let's begin the meeting.
{タクシー|たくしー}を{呼|よ}びましょうか。
Shall I call a taxi?
{準備|じゅんび}を{進|すす}めましょう。
Let's proceed with the preparations.
{気|き}を{付|つ}けましょう。
Let's be careful.
{詳細|しょうさい}を{確認|かくにん}しましょう。
Let's confirm the details.
{意見|いけん}を{交換|こうかん}しましょう。
Let's exchange opinions.
{問題|もんだい}を{解決|かいけつ}しましょう。
Let's solve the problem.
{計画|けいかく}を{見直|みなお}しましょう。
Let's review the plan.
{先|さき}の{議論|ぎろん}を{踏|ふ}まえて、{次|つぎ}のステップへ{進|すす}みましょう。
Building on the previous discussion, let's move to the next step.
{互|たが}いの{立場|たちば}を{尊重|そんちょう}しましょう。
Let's respect each other's positions.
{本質的|ほんしつてき}な{課題|かだい}に{取|と}り{組|く}みましょう。
Let's tackle the fundamental issues.
{合意|ごうい}に{至|いた}るまで{話|はな}し{合|あ}いましょう。
Let's discuss until we reach a consensus.
{本件|ほんけん}に{関|かん}しては、{慎重|しんちょう}に{検討|けんとう}しましょう。
Regarding this matter, let's consider it carefully.
{歴史的|れきしてき}な{背景|はいけい}を{考慮|こうりょ}しつつ、{分析|ぶんせき}しましょう。
Let's analyze it while considering the historical background.
{未来|みらい}の{展望|てんぼう}について{語|かた}り{合|あ}いましょう。
Let's talk about future prospects.
{一丸|いちがん}となって{目標|もくひょう}を{達成|たっせい}しましょう。
Let's unite and achieve our goal.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the polite and casual forms.
Learners use this for invitations.
Learners use masu for future intent.
Common Mistakes
行くましょう
行きましょう
食べますましょう
食べましょう
するましょう
しましょう
来ますましょう
来ましょう
行きましょうか？ (to a boss)
行きませんか？
行く？ (in formal setting)
行きましょうか？
飲みますか？
飲みましょうか？
しましょうか？ (when I am doing it alone)
しますか？
行きましょう (as a command)
行ってください
食べましょう (when I am the only one eating)
食べます
Sentence Patterns
___を___しましょう。
___へ___しましょうか。
___について___しましょう。
___を___して、___しましょう。
Real World Usage
今度、会いましょう！
会議を始めましょう。
あそこへ行きましょう。
注文しましょう。
教科書を開きましょう。
一緒に写真を撮りましょう。
The 'Passive' Let's
~mashou used to confirm what everyone has already vaguely agreed on, rather than as a sudden new idea.Don't Boss Your Boss
{頑張|がんば}りましょう (Let's do our best) to your boss. It sounds like you are evaluating them. Stick to saying it to peers or juniors.The Softener 'ne'
~mashou ne) to sound softer and more friendly, like 'Let's go, okay?' or 'Let's do that, shall we?'Smart Tips
Add 'issho ni' to sound more natural.
Use ~masen ka instead of ~mashou.
Use ~mashou ka to ask for their opinion.
Use ~mashou to lead the group.
Pronunciation
Long vowel
The 'ou' at the end is a long 'o' sound.
Rising
Mashou ka↗
Invitation/Question
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Mashou sounds like 'My show'—imagine you and a friend are starting 'My show' together!
Visual Association
Imagine two people holding hands and jumping together. The 'mashou' sound is the sound of their feet hitting the ground in unison.
Rhyme
When you want to go, just say mashou!
Story
Ken and Yumi are standing at the station. Ken says, 'Let's go to the park.' He uses the polite form: '{公園|こうえん}へ{行|い}きましょう.' Yumi smiles and agrees.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 things you want to do with a friend today using the ~mashou form.
Cultural Notes
Using ~mashou is a way to show group harmony. It avoids direct commands.
Derived from the classical Japanese volitional auxiliary.
Conversation Starters
What shall we do today?
Shall we eat lunch?
Let's start the meeting.
Let's discuss the plan.
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
映画を___ましょう。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
行くましょう。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Let's go to the park.
Answer starts with: 公園へ...
A: 暑いですね。 B: ___
Use 'kaigi' and 'hajimeru'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises映画を___ましょう。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
行くましょう。
ましょう / 食べ / 昼ご飯 / を
Let's go to the park.
A: 暑いですね。 B: ___
Use 'kaigi' and 'hajimeru'.
飲む -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{一緒|いっしょ}に{勉強|べんきょう}___ (Let's study)。
Let's eat lunch.
A: {帰|かえ}りましょうか？ (Shall we go home?) B: ___
Which of these is incorrect/unnatural for 'Let's buy it'?
Match the pairs.
Arrange: {会いましょう|あいましょう} / {で|で} / {駅|えき}。
{私|わたし}たち___ {行|い}きましょう。
Verb: {急|いそ}ぐ (isogu - to hurry)
{手伝|てつだ}いしてましょう。
{少|すこ}し{休|やす}みましょう。
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It's better to use ~masen ka or a request form to be safer.
Yes, it is the polite form of the volitional.
Use ~masen ka.
Yes, all verbs conjugate this way.
Mashou is a statement; mashou ka is a question.
No, it's for shared actions.
Yes, in emails and reports.
It's essential for group work in Japan.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Vamos a + infinitive
Spanish uses a verb + infinitive; Japanese uses a conjugated stem.
Allons + infinitive
French uses the verb 'aller' as an auxiliary.
Lass uns + infinitive
German is more direct.
我们...吧
Chinese 'ba' is a particle; Japanese 'mashou' is a verb suffix.
لنقم بـ
Arabic is more formal.
Let's
English uses a separate word; Japanese uses a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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Japanese Imperative Form: Mastering Casual Commands (Meireikei)
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Stop! Negative Commands with ～な (na)
Overview Japanese, a language renowned for its intricate politeness levels, possesses a grammatical structure designed f...
Thinking of Doing: Intentions (～ようと思う)
Overview Japanese, unlike English, often places a greater emphasis on conveying the speaker's internal state and the nua...
Let's! Japanese Volitional Form (~you)
Overview Ever found yourself standing in front of a {居酒屋|いざかや} with your Japanese friends, staring at a menu of t...
