Explanation

Used to express a suggestion or invitation, often translated as 'shall we?' or 'why not?'

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Key Formation

• Verb (short form) + ようか

  飲(の)むようか (Shall we drink?)

• Verb (short form) + まいか

  食(た)べまいか (Shall we eat?)

Example Sentences

• 映画を観(み)ようか？ (Japanese Drama - Terrace House)

  Shall we watch a movie?

  えいがをみようか？

  Eiga o miyou ka?

  Pronunciation

• 食(た)べに行(い)こうか？

  Shall we go eat?

  たべにいこうか？

  Tabe ni ikou ka?

  Pronunciation

• 明日(あした)遊(あそ)びに行(い)こうか？

  How about going to play tomorrow?

  あしたあそびにいこうか？

  Ashita asobi ni ikou ka?

  Pronunciation

• コーヒーでも飲(の)もうか？

  Shall we have a cup of coffee?

  こーひーでものもうか？

  Koohii demo nomou ka?

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• ～ましょうか (mashouka) - (N2)
  - Both '(よ)うか' and '～ましょうか' can be used to suggest or invite someone to do something together. '(よ)うか' is more colloquial and casual, while '～ましょうか' is more polite and formal.
• ～てみませんか (te mimasenka) - (N2)
  - '(よ)うか' and '～てみませんか' can both be used to make suggestions or invitations. '(よ)うか' is less formal and used in casual conversations, while '～てみませんか' is more polite.
• ～よう (you) - (N3)
  - '(よ)うか' and '～よう' both express intention or suggestion, but '(よ)うか' is used to invite or suggest doing something together, while '～よう' is used to express personal intention or suggestion.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 映画 (えいが)moviePronunciation
• * 観る (みる)to watchPronunciation
• * 食べる (たべる)to eatPronunciation
• * 行く (いく)to goPronunciation
• * 明日 (あした)tomorrowPronunciation
• * 遊び (あそび)playPronunciation
• * 飲む (のむ)to drinkPronunciation
• * コーヒー (こーひー)coffeePronunciation

Quiz

Which of the following means 'Let's go shopping tomorrow?'

• 明日(あした)買(か)い物(もの)しまいか？
• 明日(あした)買(か)い物(もの)するか？
• 明日(あした)買(か)い物(もの)しようか？