Understanding 〜ましょう (mashou): A Streetwise JLPT N5 Grammar Guide

しょうこ は ぜんぶ けしましょう
Shouko wa zenbu keshimashou.
Let’s get rid of all the evidence.

This joint, 〜ましょう (mashou), is like a group chat invite. You’re not just telling folks what you’re gonna do; you’re throwin’ out a plan and makin’ it clear you want them to roll with you. It’s how you say, “Let’s make this happen” or “Come on, let’s do this thing.” It’s polite, but it still got that energy, you feel me? When you’re with your crew and you wanna suggest a move, this is the word. It’s the difference between sayin’ “I’m goin’ to the bank” and “Yo, let’s hit the bank.”

The conjugation is as smooth as a fresh track. Just take the ます form of the verb and chop off the ます part. Then, you just slap 〜ましょう on the end. Easy money.

This is how you turn regular verbs into action-packed plans with your crew.

Verb TypeRuleExample
Group 1Remove ます and add 〜ましょういきます =
いきましょう
Let’s go
Group 2Remove ます and add 〜ましょうたべます =
たべましょう
Let’s eat
Group 3Remove ます and add 〜ましょうします =
しましょう
Let’s do

You see, it’s mad simple. You take the ます (masu) form of the verb, and you just swap out that ます (masu) with ましょう (mashou). That’s it. It’s a clean switch, no funny business. It’s like changing the rims on your whip—easy and it makes the whole thing look fresh. You just gotta know the ます (masu) form, and you’re good to go.

Think of ~ましょう (~mashou) like the code word for a mob hit. One guy doesn’t just say, “I’m gonna whack that dude.” Nah, the boss pulls his crew aside and says, “Aight, fellas, let’s take care of business tonight.” The “let’s” is what makes it a group project, a team effort, a unified front. It ain’t just one person’s plan; it’s the whole crew’s mission. ~ましょう (~mashou) is that “let’s” that brings everyone together for the hustle. It’s how you get your crew on the same page before you hit the streets.


おーight, listen up. Here’s the deal on these words.

もぐりこむ (Mogurikomu)

English: To slip into; to get into; to sneak into.

This is when you gotta slide in somewhere without makin’ a sound. Like when you’re tryna get past security at the club without payin’ the cover, or when you gotta get into a rival crew’s territory on the low. You’re not just walkin’ in—you’re slippin’ in, disappearin’ into the crowd. You gotta be slick with it, you dig?


おそう (Osou)

English: To attack; to raid; to ambush.

This word is all about launchin’ an attack. You’re not just fightin’; you’re comin’ at ’em with force, without ’em expectin’ it. Think about a surprise raid on a rival’s spot, or when you gotta jump somebody who’s been runnin’ their mouth. It’s an ambush, a full-on offensive. You hit ’em hard and fast before they even know what’s comin’.


ちゃか (Chaka)

English: Slang for a gun or firearm.

This is what we call the heat, the piece, the gat. It’s the strap you keep on you for protection, the tool you use to handle business when things get ugly. When you hear somebody talkin’ about pullin’ out the chaka, they ain’t playin’ games. It’s a straight-up slang word for a gun, period.


とりひき (Torihiki)

English: A deal; a transaction; an exchange.

This is all about a transaction, a business deal. Could be a straight-up exchange of money for goods, like when you’re makin’ a sale. Or it could be a shadier deal, like a backroom arrangement with another crew to divide up the territory. It’s an agreement, a pact, a contract—whatever you wanna call it. It’s when two parties come together and make a move.


せ ん て を とる (Sente o toru)

English: To preempt; to take the initiative; to make the first move.

Yo, in this game, you gotta be one step ahead of the competition. You can’t be sittin’ around waiting for somebody else to make a move. You gotta be the one to strike first, you feel me? That’s what this phrase is all about. It’s about being proactive, not reactive. It’s like in chess, you gotta take the initiative and control the board from the jump. You gotta have that killer instinct, like Michael Corleone when he took over the family business.


Aight, peep these sentences. They’re all about that life, so you know what’s good.

こんばん あの みせ を おそいましょう。
Konban ano mise o osoimashō.
Let’s hit that spot tonight.

けいさつ が くる まえ に、にげましょう。
Keisatsu ga kuru mae ni, nigemashou.
Let’s bounce before the cops get here.

やつら の あじと に もぐりこみましょう。
Yatsura no ajito ni mogurikomi-mashou.
Let’s sneak into their hideout.

あの そしき の ぼす を はめましょう。
Ano soshiki no bosu o hamemashou.
Let’s set up the boss of that organization.

かね が たりない から、ぎんこう を おそいましょう。
Kane ga tarinai kara, ginkou o osoimashou.
We don’t have enough money, so let’s rob a bank.

つぎ は あの みせ の かね を ぜんぶ いただきましょう。
Tsugi wa ano mise no kane o zenbu itadakimashou.
Next, let’s take all the money from that store.

やつら の ちゃか を うつ まえ に、せんて を とりましょう。Yatsura no chaka o utsu mae ni, sente o torimashou.
Let’s make the first move before they fire their guns.

ほうしゅう を ごぶんで わけましょう。
Houshou o gobun de wakemashou.
Let’s split the reward five ways.

こんや、ぶつ の とりひき を しましょう。
Kon’ya, butsu no torihiki o shimashou.
Let’s do the deal for the goods tonight.

じゃま な やつ は もう ころしましょう。
Jama na yatsu wa mō koroshimashou.
The guy who’s in our way, let’s just kill him already.


Aight, that’s the word. Stay up, stay sharp, and keep it real. Peace.

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