How to Say ‘Let’s talk.’ in Japanese
話しましょう。
hanashi mashou
[hah-nah-shee mah-shoh]
💬 Usage Tip: [話しましょう] is the “let’s do…” form (volitional, polite). It can also sound like a gentle suggestion: “Shall we talk?”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Inviting with [〜ましょう] is polite and friendly, commonly used in workplaces and classes to propose an action without being bossy.
Phrase Breakdown
話し
hanashi
[hah-nah-shee]
talk (verb stem of 話す)
The masu-stem of 話す. It combines with ましょう to make an invitation/suggestion.
少し話しましょう。
Let’s talk a bit.
ましょう
mashou
[mah-shoh]
let’s (do); shall we (do)
Polite volitional ending used to make a suggestion or invitation (〜ましょう). Softer/less forceful than an order.
一緒に勉強しましょう。
Let’s study together.
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