German Phrase
Ja, machen wir.
Meaning
A short, informal way to say “Yes, let’s do it” or “Yes, we’ll do it.” The speaker is confirming a plan or suggestion that has just been mentioned, and the object of the action is understood from context.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversation with friends, colleagues, or family when you want to give a quick, enthusiastic agreement to a proposal – for example, after someone suggests starting a project, playing a game, or going somewhere.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ja,machenwir.
Ja (affirmation)
Ja is the standard word for “yes” in German and is used to confirm or agree with a preceding statement or suggestion.
Verb‑first in suggestions
In a suggestion the verb can move to the first position (V1) – e.g., “Machen wir!” – which is equivalent to English “Let’s do it.”
Ellipsis of the object
The object (often “es”) is frequently omitted when it is clear from context, so “Ja, machen wir.” really means “Ja, wir machen es.”
Word order after Ja
When Ja is placed at the beginning, the rest of the clause follows normal German word order, so the V1 suggestion stays after the comma.
🗨In Conversation
Wollen wir heute das neue Brettspiel ausprobieren?
Shall we try the new board game today?
Ja, machen wir.
Yes, let’s do it.
✕Common Mistakes
Ja, wir machen.
The verb should stay in V1 after the affirmation when you want a suggestion; “Ja, wir machen.” sounds like a statement rather than an agreement to act.
Ja, machen wir es?
Adding a question mark turns the phrase into a question (“Shall we do it?”) which changes the meaning.
Ja, mach wir.
The verb must be in its infinitive form “machen” when used in the V1 suggestion; “mach” is the imperative singular and does not fit the plural “wir”.
↔Alternatives
Ja, lass uns das machen.
Yes, let’s do that.
Ja, wir machen es.
Yes, we’ll do it.
Ja, das machen wir.
Yes, we’ll do that.
Cultural Tip
The construction “machen wir” is very colloquial and is most common in spoken German. In formal writing you would usually keep the full clause – “Ja, wir machen es.” Dropping the object is natural as long as the context makes it obvious. Also, avoid using this phrase with strangers in a business setting; a more polite “Ja, das machen wir gern.” is preferred.