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〜ましょう

let's (polite)

Verb ます-stem + ましょう

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Replace ます with ましょう to suggest doing something together: 行きましょう, "let's go"; 始めましょう, "let's start".

It's upbeat and assumes the other person is on board, so it's used when the plan is more or less settled, or by whoever's in charge (a teacher: "let's open our books").

To actually invite someone, where they might say no, 〜ませんか is softer. That's the next point.

The casual version is the volitional form: 行こう, 食べよう. You'll hear it constantly between friends and in anime.

Register: Polite. Casual: the volitional form, 行こう, 食べよう.

Examples

  • もう遅おそいですから、帰かえりましょう。

    It's late, so let's go home.

  • 一緒いっしょに食たべましょう。

    Let's eat together.

  • では、授業じゅぎょうを始はじめましょう。

    Right, let's begin the lesson.

  • 駅えきの前まえで会あいましょう。

    Let's meet in front of the station.

  • ちょっと休やすみましょう。

    Let's take a short break.

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