～ましょう (let's / shall I)

• Reading: ましょう
• Romaji: mashou
• Formation: Verb masu-stem + ましょう

Meaning

Expresses the speaker's volition to do something or extends an invitation in polite speech. It is the formal volitional form of verbs.

ましょう serves two main functions: suggesting a joint action (let's do something together) and offering to do something for someone (shall I?). When used as a suggestion, it is the polite equivalent of the casual volitional form (よう/おう). ましょうか as a question asks whether the listener would like to do something together, or offers the speaker's help. This form is appropriate in both casual-polite and formal settings. It is distinct from ませんか, which is a softer invitation that is easier to decline.

Examples

1. 一緒に昼ごはんを食べましょう。 Let's eat lunch together.
2. 少し休みましょうか。 Shall we take a short break?
3. タクシーで行きましょう。 Let's go by taxi.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: inviting

Do Say

• そろそろ出発しましょう。
• 荷物を持ちましょうか。
• 来週また会いましょう。
• みんなで協力しましょう。

Don't Say

• 一人で行きましょう。(ましょう implies doing something together — for solo plans, use 行きます or 行こう) → 一人で行きます。
• 宿題をしましょう。(Using ましょう for a command is unnatural — use してください or しなさい for instructions) → 宿題をしてください。

Origin & History

ましょう is the volitional form of the polite auxiliary ます, which developed during the Muromachi period as part of the formal speech system.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal