ましょう

Japanese

Etymology 1

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ma̠ɕo̞ː]

• (Tōkyō) ましょ​う [-máshóò] (Nakadaka)

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 (mashō), 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 (mashō), is the hiragana spelling of the above term.)