ましょう
Let's
The pattern ましょう is the polite volitional form used to suggest doing something together ('Let's...') or to state a firm personal resolve ('I shall...').
How It Works
1. Usage as 'Let's'
The most common use of ましょう is to propose an action to be done with the listener. It is more assertive than a question; it assumes the other person is likely to agree.
2. Usage as Personal Resolve
In formal contexts or when speaking to oneself, it expresses a firm intention. For example, 頑張りましょう（がんばりましょう） can mean 'I will do my best' as much as 'Let's do our best.'
3. Formation
This pattern attaches to the conjunctive form (the ます-stem). Simply remove ます and add ましょう:
- 食べます（たべます） → 食べましょう
- 行きます（いきます） → 行きましょう
- します → しましょう
4. Nuance and Politeness
While polite, ましょう is quite direct. If you want to be more considerate and give the listener an easy way to decline, use 〜ませんか (Won't you?) instead. In certain contexts, like a teacher speaking to students, it can also function as a gentle command (e.g., 'Let's be quiet').
Examples (4)
- 一緒に帰りましょう。
Let's go home together.
Word by Word: Together (particle) return (let's).
This is the standard way to suggest a shared action using the verb 帰る（かえる）.
- さあ、始めましょう！
Right, let's begin!
Word by Word: Well, begin (let's)!
Used here to signal the start of an activity involving everyone present.
- 明日までにこの本を読みましょう。
I shall read this book by tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow by (particle) this book (object) read (shall).
In this context, the speaker is expressing their own firm resolve to finish the task.
- 少し休みましょうか。
Shall we rest a little?
Word by Word: A little rest (let's) (question).
Adding the particle か turns the suggestion into a polite question, seeking the listener's opinion.
Common Mistakes
Using it to ask for permission.
窓を開けましょう？窓を開けてもいいですか。Using ましょう with a rising intonation to mean 'May I?' sounds pushy, like 'I'm going to open the window, okay?'. To ask for permission, use the 〜てもいい pattern.
Using it to tell someone else what to do.
（ゲストに）たくさん食べましょう！たくさん食べてください。ましょう always includes the speaker. If you want to tell a guest 'Please eat a lot,' using ましょう implies you are also going to eat a lot with them. Use 〜てください to request an action from others.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use ましょう, you must first understand how to conjugate verbs into their polite 'ます' forms. This requires knowledge of verb groups (Ichidan, Godan, and Irregular) to identify the verb stem. Additionally, understanding the concept of polite speech is important as this pattern is specifically used in formal or semi-formal social contexts to suggest actions.
- ます形Polite Verb Ending
The pattern ましょう is formed by replacing the ます ending of a polite verb with ましょう, so understanding the stem-based polite form is essential.
Level 1 - Verb Groups
Knowing how to categorize verbs into groups is necessary to correctly conjugate them into the polite stem form used for ましょう.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- ましょうかShall I?
The question version of this pattern, used to offer help ('Shall I?') or seek agreement ('Shall we?').
Level 1 - ませんかWon't You?
A softer, more polite way to invite someone by asking 'Won't you?', giving them a clear option to say no.
Level 1 - Volitional form
The casual equivalent (plain volitional form) of ましょう, used with close friends.
Level 3 - てくださいPlease Do
Used to ask someone else to do something, whereas ましょう includes the speaker in the action.
Level 1
Learn Next
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Practice ましょう in Bubblegum
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