N5 Sentence Endings, Guesses and Invitations

~ませんか: meaning, usage and examples

~ませんか means: inviting someone - Won't you...

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

Examples

1. 今度こんどの日曜日にちようび、テニスをしませんか。

   Would you like to play tennis this Sunday?

2. 一緒いっしょに昼ひるごはんを食たべませんか。

   Would you like to have lunch with me?

3. 駅えきの前まえのカフェで少すこし休やすみませんか。

   Why don't we take a short rest at the cafe in front of the station?

4. 田中たなかさん、明日あした一緒いっしょに映画えいがを見みませんか。

   Mr. Tanaka, would you like to see a movie with me tomorrow?

When to use it

Use ませんか to invite someone to do something with you: "Won't you...?" or "Would you like to...?" Although it is a negative question, it is a friendly invitation, not a negative idea. Use it to suggest going out, eating together, or joining an activity. The listener answers with いいですね or ええ, 行いきましょう if they want to come.

Nuance

Polite and soft, because the listener can easily say no. It is good for people you do not know well, coworkers, and new friends. The casual form is ない? with rising tone: 行いかない? To say no politely, use ちょっと... instead of a direct いいえ.

Compare

ませんか vs ましょう / ましょうか: ませんか asks what the listener wants (行いきませんか = would you like to go?). ましょう is a stronger "let's" when you both already agree (行いきましょう = let's go). ましょうか offers or suggests: 窓まどを開あけましょうか = shall I open the window?

Tip: Do not translate ませんか as "don't you go?". Hear it as "would you like to...?" and you will answer it correctly.