For example,
1) いっしょに ひるごはんを たべませんか。
Would you like to have lunch together ?
2) いっしょに えいがを みませんか。
Shall we see a movie together ?
3) いっしょに しゃしんを とりませんか。
Shall we take a photograph together ?
Maybe you will be wondering why the Japanese invite people by using the negative form of the verb.
Well, I guess it is because the invitation won't sound so crude or forceful and it gives the other person a chance to say 'no'...
This is part of the Japanese culture that I find very beautiful. They take great care of others' feelings through their speech and actions. Always be courteous towards others. :) Think before you speak because you can't erase what is spoken like the words you wrote on the white board or paper.
Now, what shall the answer be if you were invited by your friend ? There will be two choices..either 'YES' or "NO", right ?
To accept:
If you would like to join him/her, just say ' いいですね’ or use the sentence structure ending with 「～ましょう」which means 'Let's..'
Example:
1) いっしょに ひるごはんを たべませんか。
いいですね or はい、たべましょう。
2) いっしょに えいがを みませんか。
いいですね or はい、みましょう。
3) いっしょに しゃしんを とりませんか。
いいですね or はい、とりましょう。
To Reject:
Remember the courteous Japanese ? In the art of rejecting, we must first of all remember to say 'sorry'. Then, give the reason or just say 「ちょっと。。。」
1) いっしょに ひるごはんを たべませんか。
すみません、いま ちょっと いそがしいです。あとで たべます。
(sorry, I am busy now. I will eat later.)
2) いっしょに えいがを みませんか。
すみません、ちょっと。。。。
(sorry.......)
3) いっしょに しゃしんを とりませんか。
すみません、ちょっと。。。
(Sorry,.....)
「ちょっと」is a very 'convenient' word ! It has no 100% exact translation in English and it means 'quite','just', 'a little'..etc..
If we 'reject' an invitation with the word 'chotto' , we do not wish to tell the person who invited us the exact reason why we are rejecting or not accepting the invitation so as not to hurt his/her feelings. Vice versa, if someone uses the word 'chotto' with you, please do not press on further to ask for further explanation..... My advice to you is " take the hint and move on...!! ".
Cheers !
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