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Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1

〜ましょうか~mashou ka

offer or suggestion

Use 「〜ましょうか」 to offer help or suggest doing something together, then invite the other person's response.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

  1. Seeing someone carrying something heavy, you offer to help. Think: who will do the helping?

    Seeing someone carrying something heavy, you offer to help. Think: who will do the helping?

  2. You can also suggest doing something together. The arrow beside the two people shows them going to the restaurant together.

    You can also suggest doing something together. The arrow beside the two people shows them going to the restaurant together.

  3. First remove 「ます」 from the verb: 手伝います→手伝い. This is the verb stem.

    First remove 「ます」 from the verb: 手伝います→手伝い. This is the verb stem.

  4. Add 「ましょうか」 to the stem: 手伝い→手伝いましょうか.

    Add 「ましょうか」 to the stem: 手伝い→手伝いましょうか.

  5. The final 「か」 asks what the other person would like. After making your suggestion, wait for their answer.

    The final 「か」 asks what the other person would like. After making your suggestion, wait for their answer.

  6. In these examples, the speaker offers to help; going together involves both people. Use the situation to understand the meaning.

    In these examples, the speaker offers to help; going together involves both people. Use the situation to understand the meaning.

  7. 「行きましょう」 directly suggests going together. Adding 「か」 asks the other person what they think first.

    「行きましょう」 directly suggests going together. Adding 「か」 asks the other person what they think first.

Example sentences

  • 手伝いましょうてつだいましょうtetsudaimashouか。かka

    Shall I help?

  • 一緒いっしょishshoにni行きましょういきましょうikimashouか。かka

    Shall we go together?

In a conversation

  • A
    ビールびーるを注ぎましょうそそぎましょうか。か

    A: Shall I pour some beer?

  • B
    ありがとうございます。ございますお願いおねがいします。します

    B: Thank you. I'd appreciate that.

  • A

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    Shall I pour the beer?

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    このかばんを 。

    Shall I carry this bag?

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜ましょうかoffer or suggestion

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
重いおもい
荷物にもつ
です
ね。ね
手伝いましょうてつだいましょう
か。か

A: That's a heavy load. Shall I help?

  • B
    すみません。すみませんお願いおねがいします。します

    B: Excuse me. I'd appreciate that.

    • A
      駅えきの近くちかくに新しいあたらしいレストランれすとらんがあります。あります今度、こんど行きましょういきましょうか。か

      A: There's a new restaurant near the station. Shall we go sometime?

    • B
      いいですね。ね行きましょう。いきましょう

      B: Sounds good. Let's go.

    〜は〜にありますwhere an object is located
    〜は〜にいますwhere a person or animal is
    〜に〜があります／いますwhat is present at a place
    〜てくださいpolite request to do
    〜で〜ますtool or means used
    〜方way to do something
    どの〜／どれwhich one or which item
    〜ていますaction in progress
    まだあります／もうありませんstill left or all gone
    誰が〜ますかask who does it
    Previous〜ています
    Nextまだあります／もうありません