JLPT N5 Grammar: ませんか – “Won’t you?” / “Would you like to?”

By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025

📘 Meaning & Usage

The expression ませんか is used to make polite invitations or suggestions. It is a question form, which is often translated as “Won’t you?” or “Would you like to?” in English. This form is very polite and commonly used when inviting someone to do something.

Structure: Verb (negative stem) + ませんか

It is often used in social situations to ask someone politely to do something, such as inviting someone to eat, go somewhere, or participate in an activity.

🔍 Structure

• Verb (negative stem) + ませんか
• This form can be used with all verbs. To form the negative stem, remove the “ます” and add “ません”.
• Example: 食べます (tabemasu) → 食べません (tabemasen) → 食べませんか (tabemasen ka) = “Won’t you eat?”

For example:

• 飲みませんか (nomimasen ka)? – Would you like to drink?
• 行きませんか (ikimasen ka)? – Won’t you go?
• 見ませんか (mimasen ka)? – Won’t you watch (it)?

📝 Example Sentences

• 一緒に映画を見ませんか？
  Issho ni eiga o mimasen ka?
  Won’t you watch a movie together?
• コーヒーを飲みませんか？
  Kōhī o nomimasen ka?
  Would you like to drink coffee?
• 散歩に行きませんか？
  Sanpo ni ikimasen ka?
  Won’t you go for a walk?
• 昼ご飯を食べませんか？
  Hiru gohan o tabemasen ka?
  Would you like to have lunch?

📚 Grammar Notes

• ませんか is used to politely ask someone to do something with you, or suggest an activity in a respectful manner.
• This form is often used when you want to invite someone or ask if they want to join you in an activity, and it carries a soft, indirect tone.
• You can use this form for a wide range of actions, such as eating, drinking, going somewhere, etc.
• This form is also used when you are suggesting something to someone but do not want to sound too demanding.

📝 Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blank with the correct form of ませんか:

1. 今、映画を見ません＿＿？
2. 少し休憩をしません＿＿？
3. 今日はお茶を飲みません＿＿？

✔ Answers:

• 今、映画を見ませんか？
• 少し休憩をしませんか？
• 今日はお茶を飲みませんか？

2. Translate into Japanese:

1. Would you like to go for a walk?
2. Won’t you eat with me?
3. Would you like to watch a movie?

✔ Sample Answers:

• 散歩に行きませんか？
• 一緒に食べませんか？
• 映画を見ませんか？

🈶 Vocabulary & Kanji Breakdown

🔗 Related Grammar

• ～ましょうか: “Shall we?” (offering to do something together)
• ～ませんか: “Won’t you?” (suggestion, invitation)

🧠 Summary

• ませんか is a polite way to make suggestions or invitations.
• Level: JLPT N5
• Form: Verb (negative stem) + ませんか

thuandao

I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.