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Grammar JLPT Level N5 - Lesson 17

Structure of ましょうか:

Verb[ます+ ましょう

Details about ましょうか:

As covered in our ましょう lesson, ましょう is one of the conjugations of the auxiliary verb ます, and is a common (polite) way to suggest that something be done 'together'.
Adding the particle to this expression simply changes the nuance from 'let's', to 'shall we?', and is more of a direct question than ましょう by itself.
Like ましょう, this expression can be added to the ます stem form of any verb.
  • レストランまで(くるま)()ましょうか
    Shall we go to the restaurant by car?
  • 今夜(こんや)(はし)ましょうか
    Shall we run tonight?
One thing to note with these examples is that they are 'suggestions', not 'invitations'. In Japanese there is a slight difference between the two, in the same way that there is in English. If you want to invite someone to do something, the most natural way would be to use ませんか, a phrase that is similar to ましょうか.
  • 一緒(いっしょ)イタリア()ませんか
    Won't you go to Italy with me?
  • 一緒(いっしょ)イタリア()ましょうか
    Shall we go to Italy?
The difference here is that 'won't you do (A)?' has a stronger nuance of being a direct invitation, while ましょうか is closer to just 'let's do (A)!'
ましょうか

Usage Notes for ましょうか:

Synonyms for ましょうか:

ませんか
Won't you, Would you not, Why don't we
ましょう
Let's, Shall we (Polite volitional)
Verb[よう]
Let's, I shall (Casual volitional)

Example of ましょうか

寿司(すし)()べに()ましょうか

Shall we go eat some sushi?

日本語(にほんご)(はな)ましょうか

Shall we speak in Japanese?

明日(あした)ビーチに()ましょうか

Shall we go to the beach tomorrow?

インド料理(りょうり)()べに()ましょうか

Shall we go for Indian?

()(まえ)(かえ)ましょうか

Shall we go home before nine o'clock?

Grammar same lesson

くらい ①

About, Approximately
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ましょう

Let's, Shall we (Polite volitional)
See detailsreport

何(なに) + か

Something, Nothing, Anything, Not anything, Some kind of, Not any kind of
See detailsreport

過(す)ぎる

Too much, Very
See detailsreport

より~の方(ほう)が

To be more ~ than ~
See detailsreport
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