GRAMMAR
〜ませんか
won't you ~
Explanation
NOTE
The pattern ませんか literally means won't you do...? and is a polite way to invite someone to do something. It is softer and more considerate than ましょう because it gives the other person room to decline.
NOTE
Use ませんか when you want to make a gentle suggestion or invitation. It shows respect for the other person's choice, making it ideal for inviting someone you are not very close with.
STRUCTURE
Vます
ませんか一緒に映画を見ませんか。
Issho ni eiga o mimasen ka.
Won't you watch a movie together?
コーヒーを飲みませんか。
Koohii o nomimasen ka.
Won't you have some coffee?
土曜日に会いませんか。
Doyoubi ni aimasen ka.
Won't you meet on Saturday?
Example sentences
公園へ行きませんか。
Won't you go to the park? (Shall we go to the park?)
コーヒーを飲みませんか。
Won't you drink coffee? (Shall we drink coffee?)
一緒に日本語を勉強しませんか。
Won't you study Japanese together? (Shall we study Japanese together?)
Practice exercises
1
いっしょに公園へ行きませんか。
Won't you go to the park together?
Answer
行きませんか
2
一緒に食べませんか。
Won't you eat together?
Answer
ませんか
3
公園を散歩しませんか。
Won't you take a walk in the park?
Answer
ませんか
4
週末テニスをしませんか。
Won't you play tennis this weekend?
Answer
ませんか
5
コーヒーを飲みませんか。
Won't you have some coffee?
Answer
ませんか
6
土曜日に会いませんか。
Won't you meet on Saturday?
Answer
ませんか
7
一緒に映画を見ませんか。
Won't you watch a movie together?
Answer
ませんか
8
週末に美術館に行きませんか。
Won't you go to the art museum this weekend?
Answer
ませんか
9
いっしょに公園へ行きませんか。
Won't you go to the park together?
Answer
行きませんか