Japatan
Formation
- Vます形 + ましょう
Explanation
Use this to suggest doing something together: let's ~. It is also a common reply to an invitation: ええ、〜ましょう. 〜ませんか asks what the other person wants, but 〜ましょう is more direct, as if the plan is already decided. Teachers and meeting leaders use it often.
Examples
時間ですね。会議を 始めましょう。
It's time. Let's start the meeting.
A「いっしょに 帰りませんか。」
B「ええ、帰りましょう。」A: Shall we go home together? B: Yes, let's go home.
三時に 駅の 前で 会いましょう。
Let's meet in front of the station at three.
暑いですね。ちょっと 休みましょう。
It's hot, isn't it? Let's take a little rest.
Notes
When you first invite someone, 〜ませんか is more polite. 〜ましょう sounds natural when you know the other person agrees.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1A「明日、いっしょに 公園へ 行きませんか。」
B「ええ、（ ）。」
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 行きましょう
A: Would you like to go to the park together tomorrow? B: Yes, let's go. B accepts, so 行きましょう fits. Repeating 行きませんか is unnatural, and 2 and 3 are past forms.
2九時ですね。じゃ、テストを（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 始めましょう
It's nine o'clock. OK, let's start the test. Drop ます from 始めます and add ましょう. It does not attach to the dictionary form or the te-form.
3A「少し 休みませんか。」
B「そうですね。（ ）。」
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 休みましょう
A: Shall we take a short break? B: Good idea. Let's rest. B agrees, so 休みましょう fits. The other choices talk about the past and do not answer the invitation.
