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〜ませんか

won't you…? would you like to…?

Verb ます-stem + ませんか

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A negative question makes a polite invitation: 一緒に行きませんか, "would you like to come along?" Literally "won't you go together?", it leaves room for the other person to say no, which makes it softer than ましょう.

If they agree, the usual reply is ましょう: いいですね、行きましょう. Declining is often done without saying no at all: 明日はちょっと…, "tomorrow's a bit…".

The tone does the work. 行きませんか as an invitation is friendly and rising; a real question about someone's plans ("aren't you going?") is usually worded differently, 行かないんですか.

Examples

  • 週末しゅうまつ、映画えいがを見みませんか。

    Would you like to see a film this weekend?

  • 一緒いっしょにお茶ちゃを飲のみませんか。

    Would you like to have some tea with me?

  • 今度こんどの日曜日にちようび、うちに来きませんか。

    Would you like to come over this Sunday?

  • 少すこし休やすみませんか。

    Shall we take a little break?

  • 明日あした、テニスをしませんか。

    Do you want to play tennis tomorrow?

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