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N5

Suggestions with ましょう

About 8 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Core Suggestion Pattern

Use 〜ましょう to suggest that speaker and listener do something together. It is direct but still polite, and it often appears after a plan has already been discussed.

  1. Target signal

    いっしょに べんきょうしましょう。

    Let's study together.

    ましょう proposes a shared action directly.

    Vocabulary notes
    いっしょに
    together
    べんきょう
    study; studying
    いっしょ
    together

  2. Compare in context

    ここで しゃしんを とりましょう。

    Let's take a picture here.

    The suggestion includes a place before the verb.

    Vocabulary notes
    ましょう
    let us; shall we
    ここで
    here; at this place
    ここ
    here

  3. Compare in context

    先に たべましょう。

    Let's eat first.

    先に changes the order of actions.

    Vocabulary notes
    ましょう
    let us; shall we
    先にさきに
    first; ahead of time
    に
    to; at; in; on

Section 2 of 3

ましょう vs ませんか

Use ませんか when inviting someone more softly. Use ましょう when proposing a shared action more directly, often after agreement or when giving classroom guidance.

  1. Target signal

    つぎの ページを みましょう。

    Let's look at the next page.

    Teachers often use ましょう for guided class actions.

    Vocabulary notes
    ましょう
    let us; shall we
    ページ
    page
    の
    of; 's

  2. Preview

    土曜日に 会いましょう。

    Let's meet on Saturday.

    Meeting plans often use this direct shared suggestion.

    Vocabulary notes
    ましょう
    let us; shall we
    土曜日どようび
    Saturday
    いま
    now

  3. Preview

    じゃ、タクシーで いきましょう。

    Well then, let's go by taxi.

    じゃ signals a decision after earlier discussion.

    Vocabulary notes
    タクシー
    taxi
    ましょう
    let us; shall we
    じゃ
    well then; casual contraction of では

Section 3 of 3

Reading in Context

ましょう is common in lessons, guided activities, and short planning exchanges. The speaker usually has a clear proposal and expects cooperation.

  1. Target signal

    A: どこで べんきょうしますか。 B: 図書館で べんきょうしましょう。

    A: Where shall we study? B: Let's study at the library.

    The reply turns the question into a concrete suggestion.

    Vocabulary notes
    べんきょうします
    study
    べんきょう
    study; studying
    ましょう
    let us; shall we

  2. Preview

    先生: きょうは ここまでに しましょう。

    Teacher: Let's stop here for today.

    ここまでに しましょう is a common classroom wrap-up phrase.

    Vocabulary notes
    ましょう
    let us; shall we
    きょう
    today
    ここ
    here

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Suggestions with ましょう changes the meaning before you check the translation.

いっしょに べんきょうしましょう。 ここで しゃしんを とりましょう。 先に たべましょう。 つぎの ページを みましょう。 土曜日に 会いましょう。 じゃ、タ

Show English translation

Let's study together. Let's take a picture here. Let's eat first. Let's look at the next page. Let's meet on Saturday. Well then, let's go by taxi. A: Where shall we study? B: Let's study at the library. Teacher: Let's stop here for today.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Suggestions with ましょう changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Suggestions with ましょう changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Suggestions with ましょう in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

What does いきましょう mean?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Suggestions with ましょう).

＿＿＿ べんきょうしましょう。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1ここで しゃしんを とりましょう。
  2. 2先に たべましょう。
  3. 3いっしょに べんきょうしましょう。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Suggestions with ましょう in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4

What does いきましょう mean?