N2 Intention and Determination

~ようではないか: meaning, usage and examples

~ようではないか means: let's... / why don't we...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. みんなで協力きょうりょくしようではないか。

   Let's all cooperate together.

2. もっと頑張がんばろうではないか。

   Let's try harder.

3. 地域ちいきの伝統でんとうを次つぎの世代せだいに伝つたえていこうではないか。

   Let us pass our local traditions on to the next generation.

4. 失敗しっぱいを恐おそれず、新あたらしいことに挑戦ちょうせんしようではありませんか。

   Let's take on new challenges without fearing failure.

When to use it

A strong call to a group to act together, used by a speaker who wants to lead or inspire others. For example, みんなで力ちからを合あわせようではないか means "let us all join forces." It appears in speeches, editorials and slogans, often about social goals or shared problems.

Nuance

Formal and rhetorical, with a public speech or editorial feel. In daily conversation it sounds stiff or dramatic; people say ましょう there. It is not used for a casual suggestion to one friend. The speaker includes themselves in the group.

Compare

ましょう is an everyday suggestion: 一緒いっしょに行いきましょう. ようではないか is a passionate appeal to many people: 未来みらいのために行動こうどうしようではないか. ではないか after a plain verb (A ではないか) is a different pattern meaning "isn't it?": 雨あめが降ふっているではないか.

Tip: Imagine a politician at a podium. If the sentence would not fit a speech, use ましょう instead.