〜ませんか
won't you ~? (invitation)
Suggest doing something together without making it a command.
Remember it
Open the door to a shared plan with 〜ませんか.
Understand
Build the pattern
Sentence formula
How it works
「〜ませんか」 means "won't you ~? (invitation)". Structure: Verb stem + ませんか. This is a JLPT N5 pattern — the examples below slot different everyday and workplace words into the same structure so you can see how it behaves. Learn the structure, then swap in your own words.
When to use it
Use it for meals, events, breaks, study sessions, and other shared plans.
Tone: Neutral
A general pattern; let the sentence ending and situation set the politeness level.
Use
Hear it in real life
At work
Example 1一緒に会社に行きませんか。
いっしょにかいしゃにいきませんか。
isshonikaishaniikimasenka.
Won't you go to the company together?
Everyday life
Example 2一緒に銀行に行きませんか。
いっしょにぎんこうにいきませんか。
isshoniginkouniikimasenka.
Won't you go to the bank together?
Everyday life
Example 3一緒に公園に行きませんか。
いっしょにこうえんにいきませんか。
isshonikouenniikimasenka.
Won't you go to the park together?
Everyday life
Example 4一緒に町に行きませんか。
いっしょにまちにいきませんか。
isshonimachiniikimasenka.
Won't you go to the town together?
Everyday life
Example 5一緒にレストランに行きませんか。
いっしょにれすとらんにいきませんか。
isshoniresutoranniikimasenka.
Won't you go to the restaurant together?
Make it yours
Choose one example. Replace one person, place, object, or time with a detail from your life, then say the new sentence aloud.
Recall
Test your memory
Recall practice
Can you say it?
1 of 5
Read the situation, look away from the answer, and say the Japanese aloud.
Your situation
Won't you go to the company together?
The answer is hidden. Try to use 〜ませんか.
Remember tomorrow
Save this pattern as a flashcard
Review the meaning and formula later so today’s lesson moves into long-term memory.