N567/98

ませんか

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.

Meanings

  • Won't you
  • Would you not
  • Why don't we

About this pattern

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.