JLPT N5 grammar · Intermediate Action Patterns

~ましょうか: meaning, usage and examples

~ましょうか means: shall we/I [Verb]? (making an offer or suggestion).

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How to form it

＜Verb masu-stem＞ + ましょう(か)

Examples

  1. 一緒いっしょに行いきましょうか。

    Shall we go together?

  2. 荷物にもつを持もちましょうか。

    Shall I carry your luggage?

  3. 窓まどを閉しめましょうか。

    Shall I close the window?

  4. 駅えきで会あいましょうか。

    Shall we meet at the station?

When to use it

〜ましょう = 'Let's do X'. 〜ましょうか = 'Shall we/I do X?' (offer or suggestion).

Nuance

〜ましょうか can be an offer to help (Shall I carry that?) or a suggestion to do together.

Compare

〜ませんか is a softer invitation: 一緒いっしょに行いきませんか (Won't you come with me?).

Tip: The nuance: 行いきましょう (assertive 'Let's go') vs. 行いきませんか (polite invitation 'Shall we go?').

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Frequently asked questions

What does ~ましょうか mean?

Shall we/I [Verb]? (making an offer or suggestion). Example: 一緒いっしょに行いきましょうか。 (Shall we go together?)

How do you form ~ましょうか?

＜Verb masu-stem＞ + ましょう(か). The nuance: 行いきましょう (assertive 'Let's go') vs. 行いきませんか (polite invitation 'Shall we go?').