"~mashou ka (ο½γΎγγγγ)" has two main uses:
1. When making a suggestion to someone ("Shall we do...?").
2. When you offer help to someone ("Shall I do...?").
Be careful about the difference between "~mashou" and "~mashou ka".
"~mashou" feels active like "Let's do it!", whereas "~mashou ka" is a polite way to ask
for the other person's opinion (Shall we?).
It is also used when you offer to do something alone, like "Shall I carry this for you?"
Simply remove "masu" from the verb and add "mashou ka".
Verb Conjugation
| Masu Form | Mashou ka Form (Shall we/I) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ζδΌγγΎγ (Tetsudaimasu) | ζδΌγγΎγγγγ (Tetsudaimashou ka) | Shall I help? |
| ζγ‘γΎγ (Mochimasu) | ζγ‘γΎγγγγ (Mochimashou ka) | Shall I carry? |
| δΌζ©γγΎγ (Kyuukei shimasu) | δΌζ©γγΎγγγγ (Kyuukei shimashou ka) | Shall we rest? |
| ηͺγιγγΎγ (Mado o akemasu) | ηͺγιγγΎγγγγ (Mado o akemashou ka) | Shall I open the window? |
Examples
θ·η© γ ζγ‘γΎγγγγοΌ
nimotsu o mochimashou ka
Shall I carry your luggage?
η§ γ γζδΌγγγΎγγγγοΌ
watashi ga otetsudai shimashou ka
Shall I help you?
ε°γ δΌζ©γγΎγγγγγ
sukoshi kyuukei shimashou ka
Shall we take a short break?
β‘ Practice Quiz
Understood how to use "~mashou ka"? Let's test it!