Japanese grammar
What does ～ましょう／～ください（review: commands・invitations） mean? Japanese grammar N5
～ましょう／～ください（review: commands・invitations） means distinguishing ways to invite, request, and permit.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | ましょう — invite to do together ませんか — polite invitation ましょうか — offer to help てください — ask someone to do てもいいですか — asking permission てはいけません — prohibition |
| Romaji | matome |
| Meaning | distinguishing ways to invite, request, and permit |
How to use it
Review: choose the correct pattern for the situation.
- This is a review lesson: the patterns above are easily confused because Vietnamese translates them almost the same way.
- The key is WHO performs the action: ましょう/ませんか (both do it together), ましょうか (I do it for you), てください (you do it for me).
- And the DEGREE: てもいいですか (asking permission, mild) ↔ てはいけません (prohibition, strong).
Examples
いっしょに行きませんか。
Would you like to go together?
ドアを閉めてください。
Please close the door.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong（wanting to ASK someone else to close the door）ドアを閉めましょう。
Correctドアを閉めてください。
ましょう invites doing something TOGETHER; asking someone else to do it requires てください.
Exam tips
- N5 exams often give a situation and ask you to choose the right pattern — read carefully to see WHO performs the action.