To invite the listener to join the speaker in doing a certain action, we can use invitation sentences called 勧誘文 transcribed kan’yūbun in Japanese. You can form a sentence like this using one of three possible structures:
| Invitation Structure | Endings |
|---|---|
the volitional form | 〜ましょう transcribed mashō |
the volitional form + か transcribed ka | 〜ましょうか transcribed mashō ka |
a negative question | 〜ませんか transcribed masen ka |
While all three can be used to invite something to do something, they are not always interchangeable. In this post, we will find out what invitation sentences are and how and when we can use each of the above expressions. Let’s get started or 始めましょう transcribed hajimemashō!
What are invitation sentences in Japanese?
Invitation sentences, which are called 勧誘文 transcribed kanyūbun in Japanese, are expressions that you can use to invite someone to do something with you. There are two types of invitation sentences:
“Let’s” type:
In this type, the speaker and the listener are starting something as a team. The speaker encourages the listener to start the action together.
“Join-me” type:
In this type, the speaker is already doing something, and encourages the listener to join them. Only the listener will be changing their behavior.
All three of the structures we mentioned in the introduction can be used to form both kinds of invitations, but it’s important to keep this distinction in mind, because it can impact how you’ll use them.
Let’s have a look!
Invitations with 〜(よ)う [yō] or 〜ましょう [mashō]
One way to form invitations in Japanese is to use the endings 〜(よ)う transcribed yō or 〜ましょう transcribed mashō. This is most often used to form “let’s” invitations in a situation where the invitation is expected.
In casual contexts, you’ll use 〜う transcribed ō or 〜よう transcribed yō. These endings are used to create the volitional form of the verb, a form which is often used to express that you have decided or resolved to do something.
- 行く → 行こうTranscription: iku → ikōTranslation: go → let’s go
- 見る → 見ようTranscription: miru → miyōTranslation: see → let’s see
Though volitional forms will all end with 〜(よ)う transcribed yō, you may want to check out our post on the volitional in Japanese to learn the full rules for creating this form!
In polite contexts, you’ll use the ending 〜ましょう transcribed mashō. This is the volitional form of the ending 〜ます transcribed -masu, so you’ll just start with the polite form and use 〜ましょう transcribed mashō to replace the ending.
- 行きます → 行きましょうTranscription: ikimasu → ikimashōTranslation: go → let’s go
- 見ます → 見ましょうTranscription: mimasu → mimashōTranslation: see → let’s see
When to use 〜ましょう [-mashō] or 〜 (よ)う [-yō] for invitations?
As we mentioned above, 〜ましょう transcribed -mashō and 〜 (よ)う transcribed -yō are most typically used to form “let’s” type invitations: to invite someone else to start an action at the same time you do. Specifically, you’ll use these endings in a situation where you’re pretty sure the other person will accept, because you’ve made a prior agreement, because there’s a general expectation, or because you and your listener habitually do the action.
Let’s look at some examples!
- Field trip chaperone:みんな、いるね？じゃあ、行こう。Transcription: Min’na iru ne? Jā, ikō.Translation: Everyone is here, right? Well then, let’s go.There is an expectation or agreement that the kids will accept the invitation
- Store Manager:では、今日も笑顔でがんばりましょう。Transcription: Dewa, kyō mo egao de ganbarimashō.Translation: Well then, as usual, let’s do our best today with smiles on our faces.The employees habitually do this, so it’s expected that they’ll accept the invitation.
You can use these two endings to form an invitation when there is no clear expectation of acceptance, but in this case it can sound a little pushy, like you’re not really giving the listener an opportunity to say “no.”
For example, imagine it’s the last night before the end of summer break, and the kids had expected to sleep in…
How to soften invitations with 〜ましょう[-mashō] or 〜 (よ)う [-yō]?
If you don’t want to sound quite so pushy, you can soften the tone of an invitation with 〜ましょう transcribed -mashō and 〜 (よ)う transcribed -yō by adding particles to the end of the sentence.
Add the particle よ transcribed yo at the end of the invitation to solicit agreement. For example, let’s imagine coworkers Yoko and Hikaru are deciding on where to have lunch:
Yoko:今日はこの店で食べましょうよ。Transcription: Kyō wa kono mise de tabemashō yo.Translation: Let’s eat at this place today, shall we?Adding よ transcribed yo gives Yoko a chance to agree or not.To respond positively to an invitation like this, you can use a generic phrase そうしましょう transcribed sō shimashō, which literally means “Let’s do so.”
Hikaru:いいですね。そうしましょう。Transcription: Ii desu ne. Sō shimashō.Translation: It sounds good to me. Let’s do so.Adding よ transcribed yo gives Yoko a chance to agree or not.Add the particle ね transcribed ne at the end of an invitation sentence to give a gentle nudge, like when you end an English sentence with “OK?” In this case, the intonation goes up at ね transcribed ne.
This is usually not used between peers or to a superior!
The ending combinations 〜(よ)うね transcribed -yō ne or ましょうね transcribed -mashō ne, are often used by parents or other nurturing figures, to give gentler, more roundabout commands or to persuade reluctant children:
Parent:暗くなってきたから、今日はもう帰ろうね。Transcription: Kurakunatte kita kara, kyō wa mō kaerō ne.Translation: It’s getting dark, so let’s go home now for today, OK?
Invitations with 〜ましょうか [mashō ka] or 〜(よ)うか [yō ka]
Another way to form an invitation is to phrase it as a question, by adding the question particle か transcribed ka after the volitional forms above, creating the endings 〜ましょうか transcribed mashō ka and 〜 (よ)うか transcribed yō ka.
か transcribed ka
question particle
You’ll use these endings to form “Let’s…” type commands that give the listener more opportunity to decline. English equivalents might be “Shall we…?” or “Do you want to…?”, because they are technically asking the listener what they want to do. As a result, invitations phrased as questions sound gentler and more polite.
However, 〜ましょうか transcribed mashō ka and 〜(よ)うか transcribed yō ka still sound most natural in situations where the speaker and the listener already generally agree that they’re going to do something, but might disagree on the details.
Example: Coworkers Tanaka and Suzuki are told by their boss to go to Osaka this afternoon to meet their client there. They are quickly making a travel plan.
- Tanaka:大阪へは２時の新幹線で行きましょうか。Transcription: Ōsaka e wa ni ji no shinkansen de ikimashō ka.Translation: Shall we go to Osaka by a 2:00-pm shinkansen?
- Suzuki:ええ、そうしましょう。Transcription: Ē, sō shimashō.Translation: Yes, let’s do so.
You can also use question words to ask your listener a question about a shared plan.
You can also use 〜(よ)うか transcribed yō ka and 〜ましょうか transcribed -mashō ka to remind the listener to do something they were planning to do already.
Example: Tanaka and Suzuki are getting ready to leave the office to catch the 2:00 shinkansen.
- Suzuki:もう１時ですね。そろそろ出かけましょうか。Transcription: Mō ichi ji desu ne. Sorosoro dekake mashō ka.Translation: It’s already 1:00, isn’t it? Shall we leave soon?
- Tanaka:ええ、そうしましょう。Transcription: Ē, sō shimashō.Translation: Yes, let’s do so.
In literal questions, the question marker か transcribed ka is often dropped, to soften the tone, especially when the speaker is female. However, you should never omit か transcribed ka from a casual invitation, regardless of your gender or the level of formality.
- ✅のど、かわいたね。なんか飲もうか。Transcription: Nodo, kawaita ne. Nanka nomō ka.Translation: We are thirsty, aren’t we? Shall we get something to drink?
- ❌のど、かわいたね。なんか飲もうか。Transcription: Nodo, kawaita ne. Nanka nomō?
Invitations with 〜ませんか [masen ka] and 〜ないか [nai ka]
Finally, it’s possible to form an invitation in Japanese using a negative question. The English equivalents would be “Won’t you…?” or “Why don’t we…?”
Negative verb
plain or polite form
か transcribed ka
question particle
Because the plain negative form generally ends in 〜ない transcribed -nai while polite negative verbs end in 〜ません transcribed -masen, invitations following this patter generally end in 〜ないか transcribed -nai ka or 〜ませんか transcribed -masen ka.
- Casual:plain negative verb行かないかTranscription: ikanai kaTranslation: Why don’t we go?
- Polite:polite negative verb行きませんかTranscription: ikimasen kaTranslation: Why don’t we go?
When an invitation is given as a negative question, the question marker か transcribed ka can be omitted in casual contexts to soften the tone, as long as your intonation goes up at the end of the sentence.
When to use 〜ませんか [-masen ka] and 〜ないか [-nai ka] for invitations?
You can use 〜ませんか transcribed -masen ka or 〜ないか transcribed -nai ka in both “Let’s” type and “Join-me” type invitations. They are considered more polite than either of the earlier two patterns we discussed. Here are, then, some of the cases where you’re more likely to hear negative questions used to issue invitations:
When issuing a “join-me” type invitation, a negative question is your best option. This is especially true in more polite contexts or with less familiar people.
Example: After an office party, Tanaka and Yamada are getting into a taxi to head to the second venue. They see Sato approaching and invite her to share the ride.
- Tanaka:佐藤さんも乗りませんか。Transcription: Satō san mo norimasen ka.Translation: Why don’t you ride with us, Ms. Sato?
- Sato:あ、乗ります。どうもありがとう。Transcription: A, norimasu. Dōmo arigatō.Translation: Oh, I will. Thank you very much.Often a positive acceptance will also end in -ます transcribed -masu.
When issuing a first or potentially unexpected invitation, using a negative question can show respect for the listener’s desires.
This especially applies to “join-me” type invitations.
Example: Kimura and his coworkers have been planning a social event. They want to include Tom, who is new to the office, but not sure if he is interested.
- Kimura:金曜日にお花見をするんですけど、トムさんも参加しませんか。Transcription: Kin’yōbi ni ohanami o suru n desu kedo, Tomu san mo sanka shimasen ka.Translation: We are having a cherry-blossom-viewing picnic on Friday. Won’t you join us too, Tom?
- Tom:お花見？いいですね！ぜひ参加させてください。Transcription: Ohanami? Ii desu ne! Zehi sanka sasete kudasai.Translation: Cherry-blossom viewing? Sounds good! Let me join you by all means.
However it can also be used in “let’s” type invitations, as below.
Example: Michiko wants to invite her new friend Satsuki to go hiking, but not sure if Satsuki is willing to do so.
- Michiko:明日ひまなら、いっしょにハイキングに行かない？Transcription: Ashita hima nara, issho ni haikingu ni ikanai?Translation: If you are free tomorrow, why don’t we go hiking together?
- Satsuki:ハイキング？うん、いいよ。行こう。Transcription: Haikingu? Un, ii yo. Ikō.Translation: Hiking? Sure. Let’s go.
When invitations with 〜ませんか [masen ka] or 〜ないか [nai ka] sound unnatural
Even though invitations that use negative questions are broadly more polite, there are some occasions where you cannot or should not issue an invitation ending with 〜ませんか transcribed masen ka or 〜ないか transcribed nai ka. Let’s take a closer look!
〜ませんか transcribed -masen ka and ないか transcribed -nai ka don’t sound natural when there is a prior expectation that you and the listener would do something.
Example: The teacher comes into the classroom and sees all the students at their seats.
- ✅では、クラスを始めましょう / クラスを始めましょうか。Transcription: Dewa, kurasu o hajimemashō / kurasu o mashō ka.Translation: Well then, let’s start the class / shall we start the class?
- ❓では、クラスを始めませんか。Transcription: Dewa, kurasu o hajimemasen ka.
〜ませんか transcribed -masen kaand 〜ないか transcribed -nai ka cannot be used to prompt the listener to continue the act already started, as the example below. In such cases, we should use 〜ましょう transcribed -mashō or 〜(よ)う transcribed yō.
Example: Yoko and John are already on the way to a party when John suddenly stops and starts debating if going to the party is a good idea. Yoko prompts him to get going.
- ✅何よ、今さら。さあ、行こう。Transcription: Nani yo, ima sara. Sā, ikō.Translation: Too late for that. Now, let’s go.
- ❓さあ、行こうか。Transcription: Sā, ikō ka.Translation: Now, shall we go?
- ❌ さあ、行かない？Transcription: Sā, ikanai?Translation: Now, why don’t we go?
〜ませんか transcribed -masen ka and 〜ないか transcribed -nai ka won’t sound right when the situation is urgent. Use 〜ましょう transcribed -mashō or 〜(よ)う transcribed yō instead.
Example: A group of friends are running through the airport, trying to catch a flight to Okinawa.
- ✅飛行機出ちゃうよ。急ごう。Transcription: Hikōki dechau yo. Isogō.Translation: Our flight is gonna depart (without us). Let’s hurry.
- ❓急ごうか。Transcription: Isogō ka.Translation: Shall we hurry?
- ❌ 急がない？Transcription: Isoganai?Translation: Why don’t we hurry?
〜ませんか transcribed -masen ka and 〜ないか transcribed -nai ka cannot be used along with question words, to ask about a shared plan. In such cases, we need to use 〜ましょうか transcribed -mashō ka or 〜(よ)うか transcribed yō ka:
Example: Sachiko is at a bakery with her daughter to buy some sweets for the family gathering.
- ✅ドーナツ、いくつ買おうか。Transcription: Dōnatsu, ikutsu kaō ka.Translation: How many doughnuts shall we buy?
- ❌ドーナツ、いくつ買わない？Transcription: Dōnatsu, ikutsu kawanai?
How to decline an invitation in Japanese?
We’ve already seen several ways to respond positively to an invitation, but how should you decline one?
Paragraph contentIn Japanese, a straight “No” is considered rude, in a polite conversation. Instead, it’s better to use vague phrases such as はちょっと... transcribed wa chotto…meaning a little bit... to politely decline an invitation. See an example below!
To sum up
In this post, we have covered how to express invitation in Japanese, using three sentence patterns: 〜ましょう /〜(よ)う, 〜ましょうか / 〜(よ)うか, and 〜ませんか / 〜ないか. Here's a quick review table:
| Volitional form | Positive question | Negative question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polite style | masu-stem ましょう Transcription: mashō | masu-stem ましょうか Transcription: mashō ka | masu-stem ませんか Transcription: masen ka |
| Plain style | Volitional form | Volitional form か Transcription: ka | V-nai ない (か) Transcription: nai (ka) |
| English | “Let’s….” | “Shall we…?” | “Won’t you…?” “Why don’t we…?” |
| “Let’s” type? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| “Join-me” type? | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tone | Straightforward; enthusiastic | Softer than ましょう transcribed mashō | Polite; considerate |
| Question words? | N/A | ✅ | ❌ |
| Preferred when… |
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Don’t forget to try our Japanese invitation activities to practice what we covered in this post. Happy learning!
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