THE forma ましょう (mashou) is mainly used to propose a joint action: “let's do it?”. It appears in invitations, suggestions, shared decisions, and positive responses to an invitation.
Although it often corresponds to “let's” in Portuguese, ましょう is not a future tense, a potential form, or an expression of desire. The context shows whether the person is making a proposal, accepting an invitation, or encouraging the group to act.
What does ましょう mean in Japanese?
ましょう is the polite volitional form of Japanese verbs. “Volitional” means that the construction expresses will or initiative. With ましょう, this initiative usually includes the interlocutor or a group.
いっしょに日本語を勉強しましょう。
Issho ni nihongo o benkyō shimashō.
Let's study Japanese together.
The romanization may appear as mashō or mashou. In both cases, the ending しょう has a long vowel and sounds approximately like “mashô”.
It is also important to separate concepts. ましょう does not indicate that someone “can” perform an action, a topic explained in potential form of japanese verbs. It also does not mean “want to do”, a sense expressed by the たい form.
How to form verbs with ましょう
The practical rule is simple: put the verb in the ます form and replace ます per ましょう.
Verb stem + ましょう
| Dictionary form | ます form | ましょう form | Basic meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 行く (iku) | 行きます | 行きましょう | We will |
| 話す (hanasu) | 話します | 話しましょう | Let's talk |
| 食べる (taberu) | 食べます | 食べましょう | Let's eat |
| する (suru) | します | しましょう | Let's do |
| 来る (kuru) | 来ます | 来ましょう | Let's come |
Therefore, those who already master the ます form of Japanese verbs don't need to memorize a different rule for each group. Just remove ます and add ましょう.
If you still have difficulty finding the stem of verbs like 行く, 食べる, and する, review the Verb groups in Japanese.
How to use the ましょう form
1. Proposing a joint action
The most common use of ましょう is to suggest that the speaker and the listener do something together.
休みましょう。
Yasumimashō.
Let's rest.
この問題について話しましょう。
Kono mondai ni tsuite hanashimashō.
Let's talk about this problem.
Depending on the situation and intonation, the sentence can sound like a friendly proposal, an encouragement, or a direction addressed to the group.
2. Accepting an invitation
A very natural combination is to receive an invitation with ませんか and respond with ましょう.
A: 土曜日、いっしょに昼ご飯を食べませんか。
Doyōbi, issho ni hirugohan o tabemasen ka.
Would you like to have lunch with me on Saturday?
B: いいですね。食べましょう。
Ii desu ne. Tabemashō.
Good idea. Let's eat.
In this dialogue, ませんか makes the invitation and leaves room for the other person to accept or refuse. The response 食べましょう confirms the proposal.
3. Making a plan
ましょう is also used to finalize a decision or establish a shared plan.
三時に駅で会いましょう。
Sanji ni eki de aimashō.
Let's meet at the station at three o'clock.
今日はここまでにしましょう。
Kyō wa koko made ni shimashō.
Let's stop here for today.
4. Encouraging or guiding a group
Teachers, presenters, and teaching materials use ましょう to invite everyone to do an activity.
例を見てみましょう。
Rei o mite mimashō.
Let's look at an example.
毎日少しずつ練習しましょう。
Mainichi sukoshi zutsu renshū shimashō.
Let's practice a little every day.
In this usage, the translation can be “let's,” but the phrase also works as an inclusive encouragement: the speaker leads the activity without resorting to a direct order.
How to use ましょうか
By adding the interrogative particle か, we get ましょうか. This construction can offer help or ask the other person to participate in a decision.
Offering to do something
荷物を持ちましょうか。
Nimotsu o mochimashō ka.
Do you want me to carry the luggage?
窓を開けましょうか。
Mado o akemashō ka.
Do you want me to open the window?
In these examples, the speaker offers to act. Therefore, mechanically translating as “let's carry?” or “let's open?” would erase the most natural meaning of the situation.
Deciding something together
With an interrogative word, ましょうか can ask for a shared decision:
どこで会いましょうか。
Doko de aimashō ka.
Where shall we meet?
何時に出発しましょうか。
Nanji ni shuppatsu shimashō ka.
What time shall we leave?
Difference between ましょう, ましょうか and ませんか
| Structure | Main function | Example | Natural translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ましょう | Propose, accept, or confirm an action | 行きましょう。 | Let's go. |
| ましょうか | Offer help or ask for a decision | 手伝いましょうか。 | Do you want me to help? |
| ませんか | Invite in an open way | 行きませんか。 | Would you like to go? |
When starting an invitation, ませんか usually leaves more room for the other person's response. ましょう presents the action as a proposal or suggestion and can sound more decisive. Neither is automatically rude; the choice depends on the relationship, the situation, and the intention.
ましょう form and simple volitional form
The old text treated 行こう, 食べよう, and しよう as an “informal mashou form.” It is more accurate to call them the simple volitional form. They fulfill related functions but belong to the casual register.
| Group | Simple volitional rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Godan | Change the final syllable from the U column to the corresponding one in the O column and add う | 行く → 行こう; 話す → 話そう |
| Ichidan | Remove る and add よう | 食べる → 食べよう |
| Irregular | Use the proper forms | する → しよう; 来る → 来よう |
映画を見よう。
Eiga o miyō.
Let's watch a movie.
The simple form is natural among close people. It also participates in intention constructions, such as 日本語を勉強しようと思います (“I'm thinking of studying Japanese”). To review the casual register that serves as the basis for these conjugations, see the simple form of Japanese verbs.
Mini dialogue with ませんか and ましょう
A: 日曜日、いっしょに映画を見に行きませんか。
Nichiyōbi, issho ni eiga o mi ni ikimasen ka.
Would you like to go to the movies with me on Sunday?
B: いいですね。行きましょう。
Ii desu ne. Ikimashō.
Good idea. Let's eat.
A: 何時に会いましょうか。
Nanji ni aimashō ka.
What time shall we meet?
B: 三時に駅で会いましょう。
Sanji ni eki de aimashō.
Let's meet at the station at three o'clock.
The dialogue follows a natural sequence: invitation with ませんか, acceptance with ましょう, joint decision with ましょうか, and confirmation of the plan with ましょう.
Common mistakes with ましょう
- Using the dictionary form before ましょう:
食べるましょうis incorrect. Use 食べましょう. - Always translating as future: ましょう expresses a proposal or initiative; it does not simply work as “we will do.”.
- Confusing ましょうか with ませんか: 荷物を持ちましょうか usually offers help; いっしょに行きませんか invites someone.
- Calling ましょう a potential form or たい form: ability, desire, and proposal are different grammatical notions.
- Calling 行こう “informal mashou”: the proper name is plain volitional form.
Exercises
Convert the first four verbs to ましょう. Then, choose the most natural structure in situations 5 to 7.
- 話します → ______
- 食べます → ______
- します → ______
- 来ます → ______
- You want to invite someone to go to the park: 公園に行き______。
- You offer to open the door: ドアを開け______。
- You accept the proposal and say “let's go”: いいですね。行き______。
Show answers
- 話しましょう
- 食べましょう
- しましょう
- 来ましょう
- 公園に行きませんか。
- ドアを開けましょうか。
- いいですね。行きましょう。
Summary and next steps
Use ましょう to propose, accept, or confirm a joint action. Form the structure by removing ます and adding ましょう. Use ましょうか to offer help or ask for a decision, and ませんか when you want to make a more open invitation.
In casual register, use the simple volitional form: 行こう, 食べよう, しよう, and 来よう. It is not a potential form and should not be confused with たい.
To continue the study sequence, review the て form in Japanese and consult the guide on Japanese particles and grammar.
Frequently asked questions about the ましょう form
What does ましょう mean in Japanese?
ましょう is the polite volitional form and usually proposes a joint action, as in 行きましょう, “let's go”. Depending on the context, it can also accept a proposal or encourage a group to carry out an activity.
How to put a verb in the ましょう form?
Put the verb in the ます form, remove ます and add ましょう. Thus, 行きます becomes 行きましょう, 食べます becomes 食べましょう, します becomes しましょう and 来ます becomes 来ましょう.
What is the difference between ましょう and ましょうか?
ましょう presents a proposal or confirms an action, while ましょうか can offer help or ask for a decision. 行きましょう means “let's go”; 荷物を持ちましょうか can mean “do you want me to carry the luggage?”.
What is the difference between ましょう and ませんか?
ませんか makes a more open invitation, leaving room for the other person to respond. ましょう presents the action as a proposal or serves to accept the invitation: 行きませんか asks if the person would like to go; 行きましょう confirms “let's go”.
What is the casual equivalent of ましょう?
Use the simple volitional. Godan verbs change the ending from the U column to the O column and add う, like 行く → 行こう. Ichidan verbs drop る and add よう, like 食べる → 食べよう. The irregulars are しよう and 来よう.
Sources for further study
- Marugoto — invitations with ませんか and responses with ましょう
- Marugoto — offers with ましょうか
- Marugoto — examples of invitation and decision with ましょう
- Marugoto — ましょう in plan combinations
- Irodori — formation and uses of the simple volitional