ませんか
JLPT Level: N5
Meanings
Won't you
Would you not
Why don't we
Usage
Vます form + ませんか?
Used to make a polite invitation or soft suggestion by turning a verb into a tentative question.
Explanation
ませんか is a polite, inviting way to suggest or invite someone to do something. It softens the request and expects agreement rather than giving a command. It commonly follows a verb in the ます-form to turn it into a tentative question. It can be used to propose activities, seek confirmation, or invite someone to join you. Examples: いっしょに映画を見ませんか? (Would you like to watch a movie together?) 食事に行きませんか。 (Shall we go out to eat?) 今日は忙しいですか。 is not the typical usage; instead, use 今日は忙しくないですか to ask if someone is busy. Note that this form is appropriate in informal to polite conversations, and slightly more formal than plain ませんか in casual settings.
いっしょに映画を見ませんか。
いっしょにえいがをみませんか。
Would you like to watch a movie together?
明日、ハイキングに行きませんか。
あした、ハイキングにいきませんか。
Shall we go hiking tomorrow?