ましょう

Japanese

Etymology 1

Volitional form of the polite suffix ます (-masu).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): [ma̠ɕo̞ː]

Suffix

ましょう • (-mashō) ←ませう (maseu)?

  1. Induces or stimulates others to do something: let's; shall we
    図(と)書(しょ)館(かん)に行(い)きましょうか。
    Toshokan ni ikimashō ka.
    Shall we go to the library?
  2. Expresses the speaker's will: I will
  3. (archaic) Presents a supposition: probably
    …といえましょう。
    … To iemashō.
    We can probably say …
    明日(あす)は雨(あめ)が降(ふ)りましょう。
    Asu wa ame ga furimashō.
    It'll probably rain tomorrow.
Usage notes

This can be considered as the polite form of the volitional suffix う (-u → -ō) ~ よう (-yō), except that it is more polite and attaches to the masu stem of verbs.

Alternative forms
  • ましょ (-masho) (colloquial)
  • まひょ (-mahyo) (Kansai)

Etymology 2
For pronunciation and definitions of ましょう – see the following entry.
【魔性】
[noun] having an evil spirit or influence
(This term, ましょう, is the hiragana spelling of the above term.)

Etymology 3
For pronunciation and definitions of ましょう – see the following entry.
【真正】
[adjective] sincere; honest
(This term, ましょう, is the hiragana spelling of the above term.)
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