How do you say "What do I do next?" in Japanese?

"What do I do next?" in Japanese is "次はどうしますか。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘What do I do next?’ in Japanese

Q: What does "次はどうしますか。" mean in English?

"次はどうしますか。" means "What do I do next?" in English. Usage tip: As written it can sound like “What will you do next?” If you mean “What should *I* do next?” try [次はどうすればいいですか].

次はどうしますか。

tsugi wa dou shi masu ka

[tsoo-gee wah doh shee mahs kah]

💬 Usage Tip: As written it can sound like “What will you do next?” If you mean “What should *I* do next?” try [次はどうすればいいですか].

🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japanese, subjects are often omitted, so context decides who is doing the action—adding [すれば] makes your intent clearer.

Phrase Breakdown

次は

tsugi wa

next / as for next

次 = next; は sets the topic: “As for the next step…”

Example

次は右に曲がります。

Next, turn right.

Words in this phrase

次

tsugi

[tsoo-gee]

Points to the next step in a sequence or procedure.

Example

次をもう一度説明していただけますか。

Could you explain the next part one more time?

は

[wah]

topic marker

Marks next as the topic in the phrase 次は.

Example

次は何か、まだよくわかりません。

I still don't really understand what comes next.

どう

dou

[doh]

how

Asks how to do something or what method to use.

Example

どうするか、短く説明してください。

Please explain briefly how to do it.

しますか。

shi masu ka

will (you) do? (polite question)

Polite verb します (do) + か (question). Often used to ask what action to take.

Example

何にしますか。

What will you have/choose?

Words in this phrase

し

shi

[shee]

do (stem)

The stem form of する used in polite expressions.

Example

今しないほうがいいですか。

Is it better not to do it now?

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite present ending

Makes the verb polite and suitable for speaking to coworkers.

Example

あとで確認します。

I will check it later.

か

[kah]

question marker

Used at the end of a sentence to ask a question politely.

Example

ここでいいですか。

Is here okay?

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