Let’s Try ましょう
“Talk does not cook rice.” – Chinese Proverb
Let’s start with simple sentences and work our way up (over the next several chapters, which will be about specific ましょう + past-grammar).
ましょう verbs are just like regular verbs, which is why it makes for such great review. You can add ましょう to almost any verb, and it’ll become a “let’s” sentence, simple as that. We’ll learn about the few exceptions, but for the most part it’s not something you need to worry yourself about.
We’re going to start with some examples, first. Then, you’ll do some of the work.
a 日本へ行きましょう。
Let’s go to Japan.
a ハンバーガーをたべましょう。
Let’s eat hamburgers / a hamburger.
a おさけ を のみましょう。
Let’s drink sake (sake often has the お honorific on it, thus the おさけ).
a 中田先生とはなしましょう。
Let’s talk with Nakada-Sensei
See how they’re just normal sentences? Not too bad. Now it’s your turn. Can you translate the following sentences?
Let’s read a book
a 本をよみましょう
Let’s return (home)
a かえりましょう
a この あたらしい パソコン を つかいましょう
Let’s use this new computer
a おちゃ を つくりましょう
Let’s make tea
a えいが を 見ましょう
Let’s watch a movie
Those sentences are pretty standard – of course, it gets a little more complicated (and interesting!) than this. We’re going to first take a look at some of the intricacies of ましょう on the next chapter, then we’re going to take that (and this) to apply ましょう to other grammar that you’ve learned doing a combination of review and new.