う・よう + ではないか
Let's do something, Why don't we
Structure
Verb［おう］ + じゃないか
Explanation
The grammar pattern ようではないか is primarily used to make a strong suggestion or invitation to do something together. It is composed of the volitional form of a verb (using う or よう), the particle ではない, and the question marker か. The volitional form itself expresses an intention or a 'let's' feeling. When combined with negation, it literally translates to something like 'shall we not do (A)?', but it functions as a persuasive way to say 'Let's do (A)' or 'Why don't we do (A)?'.
Just like other volitional forms, ようではないか is appended to a verb to propose the action that the speaker wants to do with others.
- この機会に、力を合わせてみようではないか。On this occasion, why don't we try joining forces?
- そろそろ休憩して、お茶でも飲もうではないか。It's about time we took a break, so how about we have some tea or something?
In more casual situations, the contracted form じゃない can be used instead of ではない.
- 目標を達成したんだ。今夜は祝おうじゃないか。We've achieved our goal. Tonight, let's celebrate!
- こんなに天気がいいんだから、どこかへ出かけようじゃないか。The weather is so nice, so why don't we go out somewhere?
Nevertheless, ようではないか is generally considered a formal expression. As such, the full, non-contracted form is more common, as is the even more polite variant, ようではありませんか.
Fun-fact
This grammar point is sometimes preceded by the volitional form of もらう. In such cases, the speaker is often issuing a challenge or expressing a willingness to let someone do something for them. This can be understood as 'Well then, why don't I have you do (A)?' or 'Let's just accept their offer to do (A)'.
- そんなに料理が上手だと言うのなら、一度作ってもらおうではないか。If you say you're that good at cooking, then why don't I have you make something for me sometime?
- 彼が手伝ってくれると言うのだから、素直に手伝ってもらおうではないか。Since he's offering to help, let's just graciously accept his help.
Examples
新しいことに挑戦しようではないか。
Why don't we take on a new challenge?
お互いに助け合おうではないか。
Why don't we help each other out?
この困難を共に克服しようではないか。
Why don't we overcome this hardship together?
希望を胸に、前へ進もうではないか。
With hope in our hearts, why don't we move forward?
ここまで来たのだから、最後までやり遂げようではないか。
Since we've made it this far, why don't we see it through to the end?
諦めずに最後まで戦おうではないか。
Instead of giving up, why don't we fight until the very end?
より良い未来を目指そうではないか。
Why don't we aim for a better future?
皆疲れていることだし、ここで一旦休憩しようではないか。
Everyone is tired, so why don't we take a break here for now?
この問題について、みんなで考えようではないか。
Why don't we all think about this problem together?
これからも平和な世界を守っていこうではないか。
From here on out, why don't we continue to protect our peaceful world?
お互いに心を開こうではないか。
Why don't we open our hearts to one another?
文句を言うだけでなく、自ら行動を起こそうではないか。
Instead of just complaining, why don't we take action ourselves?