JLPT N5Inflection

Furigana

（よ）う・ましょうLet's; immediate decision

The plain volitional and polite ましょう propose doing something together: “let’s do it.” The plain form can also voice an immediate personal decision: “I’ll do it.”

The situation determines the English meaning

When the listener is expected to join the action, the form means “let’s.” When the speaker is talking to themselves or clearly assigning the action to themselves, the plain form means “I’ll” or “I’m going to.” These uses work best with actions that someone can choose to perform.

Shared action and personal resolve

週しゅう末まつ、一いっ緒しょに海うみへ行いこう。

Let’s go to the beach together this weekend.

The speaker invites the listener into a shared action.

この映えい画がを一いっ緒しょに見みよう。

Let’s watch this movie together.

This uses the plain volitional of an ichidan verb.

この作さ業ぎょうは私わたしがしよう。

I’ll do this task.

The stated subject makes this a personal decision, not a shared invitation.

明日あしたは少すこし早はやく来こよう。

I’ll come a little earlier tomorrow.

This sounds like a decision or reminder spoken to oneself.

A polite shared proposal

では、会かい議ぎを始はじめましょう。

Well then, let’s begin the meeting.

Accepting an invitation

A

昼ひるご飯はんはあの店みせで食たべましょう。

Let’s have lunch at that restaurant.

B

いいですね。そうしましょう。

That sounds good. Let’s do that.

そうしましょう is a common way to accept and endorse the proposed plan.

Guiding a group or a reader

In lessons, presentations, and instructions, ましょう often guides everyone through the next step. The implied meaning is “let’s do this now,” even when the audience is reading rather than speaking.

次つぎに、答こたえを確かく認にんしましょう。

Next, let’s check the answer.

Shared proposal, softer invitation, or offer

Use ましょう to propose an action that speaker and listener will do together. A form ending in ませんか asks whether the listener is willing and is generally softer. A form ending in ましょうか can instead offer to perform an action for the listener.

一いっ緒しょに駅えきまで歩あるきませんか。荷に物もつは私わたしが持もちましょうか。

Would you like to walk to the station together? Shall I carry your bag?

The first sentence is a softer invitation; the second offers the speaker’s help.

More examples

暑あついな。窓まどを開あけよう。

It’s hot. I’ll open the window.

みんなで写しゃ真しんを撮とろう。

Let’s all take a picture.

疲つかれたね。少すこし休やすもう。

We’re tired, aren’t we? Let’s take a short break.

今日きょうはここまでにしましょう。

Let’s stop here for today.

まず、名な前まえを書かきましょう。

First, let’s write our names.

忘わすれないうちに、今いまメールを送おくろう。

I’ll send the email now before I forget.