Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
When you’re making plans with friends or offering to help someone in Japanese, there’s a simple and polite structure that does the job perfectly:
V-stem + ましょう / ましょうか
This form can express:
- Let’s do something together
- Shall we…?
- Shall I…?
Although it looks simple, ましょう and ましょうか have two different uses depending on context. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use this grammar naturally for both suggestions and offers to help.
1. V-stem + ましょう = “Let’s do ~”
Use this form to suggest doing something together.
Basic Pattern:
[Verb stem] + ましょう
Just remove the ます from a verb and add ましょう.
- Find the stem form of the verb:
見ます(to see)→見る ／ 勉強します(to study)→勉強し
You can get the stem of a verb by removing ます from it! - Add ましょう after the verb stem to make a suggestion:
見ましょう (= Let’s see) / 勉強しましょう (= Let’s study)
Examples:
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 映画を見ましょう。 | Let’s watch a movie. |
| 一緒に勉強しましょう。 | Let’s study together. |
| カフェでコーヒーを飲みましょう。 | Let’s have coffee at the café. |
2. V-stem + ましょうか = “Shall we ~?”
This form turns your suggestion into a question — you’re asking for agreement or confirmation. Add か after ましょう.
Examples:
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 一緒に映画を見ましょうか？ | Shall we watch a movie together? |
| 一緒に日本語を勉強しましょうか？ | Shall we study Japanese together? |
This is useful when you want to be polite and check what the other person wants to do.
3. V-stem + ましょうか = “Shall I ~?” (Offering Help)
Here’s where things get interesting — ましょうか can also be used when offering assistance.
You’re not suggesting doing something together, but instead asking, “Shall I do this for you?”
Examples:
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 手伝いましょうか？ | Shall I help you? |
| ドアを開けましょうか？ | Shall I open the door? |
| A: かばんを持ちましょうか？ B: すみません、おねがいします。 | A: Shall I carry your bag? B: Thanks, please. |
| A: お茶をいれましょうか？ B: いいえ、だいじょうぶです。 | A: Shall I make some tea? B: No, its okay. |
4. How to Tell the Difference? (Context & Intonation)
Since both meanings — “Shall we?” and “Shall I?” — use ましょうか, how do you know which one is being used?
Intonation and context can help distinguish between an invitation and an offering of help. An invitation may have a rising intonation at the end, while an offering of help may have a neutral or slightly falling intonation. Additionally, the context of the situation, including the relationship between the speaker and listener and the activity being suggested or offered, can provide additional clues to the intended meaning.
🔸 Context: Who is speaking to whom? Is this a shared plan or a solo offer?
🔸 Intonation:
- Rising tone (⤴): “Shall I do it?”
- Flat or falling tone (⤵): “Shall we do it?”
Compare These:
| Japanese | Context | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 日本語を話しましょうか？ (⤴) | To someone who doesn’t speak English | Shall I speak Japanese for you? |
| 日本語を話しましょうか？ (⤵) | In a Japanese lesson | Shall we speak in Japanese? |
5. Practice Time!
Try transforming the following into ましょう / ましょうか expressions:
Make appropriate suggestions for the following situations.
| Situation | Answer |
|---|---|
| It’s cold. → Drink coffee. | コーヒーを飲みましょう[か]。 |
| It’s 12 PM. → Eat lunch. | 昼ごはんを食べましょう[か]。 |
| The homework is difficult. → Ask the teacher. | 先生に聞きましょう[か]。 |
Offer to do the following with ましょうか in the following situations.
| Situation | Answer |
|---|---|
| A window is open and someone looks cold in front of you. | 窓を閉めましょうか？ |
| Right in front of you, there is someone who wants to place a package in a high place but is having trouble reaching it. | 手伝いましょうか？ |
| The bag looks heavy with lots of luggage. | かばんを持ちましょうか？ |
6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- QWhat is the difference between ましょう and ましょうか?
- A
- ましょう = Let’s do ~
- ましょうか = Shall we do ~? or Shall I do ~?
Use context to decide which is intended.
- QWhat is the difference between ましょう and ましょうか?
- A
- ましょう = Let’s do ~
- ましょうか = Shall we do ~? or Shall I do ~?
Use context to decide which is intended.
- QCan I use this form in casual conversation?
- A
Yes! It’s polite but not too formal, so it’s perfect for everyday use — especially when making plans or being helpful.
However, If you’re in a very casual situation talking to close friends or family, you’ll more often use the plain volitional form.
- Instead of suggesting 「行きましょう」(Let’s go), you’d say 「行こう」.
- Instead of offering help with 「手伝いましょうか？」(Shall I help?), you’d say 「手伝おうか？」. So, ～ましょう/～ましょうか is for general polite situations, while the plain form (like ～(よ)う / ～(よ)うか) is for close, casual relationships.
- QWhat kind of verbs can I use with ましょう?
- A
Almost all action verbs. Just remove the ます and add ましょう or ましょうか.
- QHow should I respond if someone suggests something with ～ましょうか (e.g., 「お茶でも飲みましょうか？」 – Shall we have tea or something?)
- A
To agree with the suggestion:
- いいですね！ – Sounds good!
- はい、そうしましょう。 – Yes, let’s do that.
To politely decline:
- すみません、今はちょっと…。 – Sorry, right now is a bit… (implies inconvenience)
- ありがとうございます。でも、また今度にしませんか。- Thank you. But maybe another time?
- QAnd how do I respond if someone offers help with ～ましょうか (e.g., 「手伝いましょうか？」 – Shall I help?)
- A
To accept the offer gratefully:
- すみません、お願いします。- Thank you (lit. sorry for the trouble), please.
- ありがとうございます。助かります。- Thank you very much. That would be a great help.
To politely decline the offer:
- いいえ、大丈夫です。 – No, I’m okay / It’s alright.
- 結構です、ありがとうございます。- No, thank you very much.
Conclusion
Now you know how to make invitations and polite offers in Japanese!
✅ Use V-stem + ましょう to say “Let’s do ~”
✅ Use V-stem + ましょうか to say “Shall we ~?” or “Shall I ~?”
✅ Pay attention to intonation and context to choose the right meaning
✨ Try this: Make 3 suggestions and 3 offers using this form. Practice with a partner or teacher!
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