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Grammar JLPT Level N5 - Lesson 18

Structure of ませんか:

Verb[ない] +

Details about ませんか:

ませんか (or ないか more casually) is an expression that is used after verbs as an invitation. It basically translates to 'won't you do (A) with me?'.
This expression is a little bit different to ましょうか, in that it sounds directly like an invitation to do (A). ましょうか tends to sound more like a suggestion that (A) should be done.
  • 明日(あした)温泉(おんせん)()ませんか
    Won't you go to the onsen with me tomorrow? (Polite)
  • 来週(らいしゅう)()()ないか
    Won't you go fishing with me next week? (Casual)
It is recommended to use the ませんか version, as ないか would be a bit too casual to use with someone that you are not very close with (and is also technically not correct Japanese).
To make it clearer that the speaker wants to do (A) 'with' someone, expressions like 一緒(いっしょ) 'together' are often added, for clarification.
  • 一緒(いっしょ)(まつ)()ませんか
    Won't you go to the festival with me?
To examine the difference between ましょうか and ませんか, let's have a look at how the nuance changes in the same type of sentence.
  • ラーメン()()ましょうか
    Shall we go eat ramen?
  • ラーメン食べ()ませんか
    Won't you go eat ramen with me?
Here, ませんか will come across as an invitation due to the fact that you are asking the person if they 'wouldn't mind doing (A)' with you. This is the main reason that it is considered a more polite option when inviting someone to do something, than ましょうか.
ませんか

Usage Notes for ませんか:

Synonyms for ませんか:

たらどう
Why don't you...?, What if you did...?
ましょう
Let's, Shall we (Polite volitional)
~ましょうか
Shall we, Shall I

Example of ませんか

寿司(すし)()べに()ませんか

Won't you go eat sushi (with me)?

サッカーませんか

Won't you play soccer (with me)?

一緒(いっしょ)文法(ぶんぽう)勉強(べんきょう)ませんか

Won't you study grammar with me?

風呂(ふろ)一緒(いっしょ)(はい)ませんか

Won't you take a bath with me?

金曜日(きんようび)()(もの)()ませんか

Won't you go shopping (with me) on Friday?

Grammar same lesson

~ないで下(くだ)さい

Please don't (Polite request)
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~てはいけない

Must not, May not
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~てもいい (Verb)

It's okay to, It's alright to, Can/may
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なくてはいけない

Must do, Have to do
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~て下(くだ)さい

Please do (Polite request)
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