How to Say ‘What will (we/you) do? (polite)’ in Japanese
なにをしますか
nani o shi masu ka
[nah-nee oh shee mahss kah]
💬 Usage Tip: [なにをしますか] = “What will you do?” In context, it often means “What will we do (next)?”
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan it’s common to imply “we” in medical settings—the team and patient moving forward together.
Phrase Breakdown
なにを
nani o
what (object marker を)
なに “what” + を marks the direct object: “what (do you)…?”
なにを食べますか。
What will you eat?
Words in this phrase
なに
nani
[nah-nee]
what
Question word meaning “what.” In a clinic you can use it to ask what procedure, test, or treatment will be done.
次は何 をしますか。
What will we do next?
を
o
[oh]
object marker (wo/o)
Particle that marks the direct object of the verb. In questions like 何をしますか, it marks “what” as the thing you will do.
次は何 をしますか。
What will we do next?
します
shi masu
do (polite)
Polite form of する “to do.” Often used for actions/plans.
今日は勉強します。
I will study today.
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shee]
do; make (stem of します)
Verb stem used with ます to form します. Useful when asking about next steps after test results.
結果を聞いたあと、何をし ますか。
After hearing the results, what should we do?
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending (-masu)
Polite ending for verbs; makes your question sound respectful in a medical conversation.
検査のあと、何をし ますか。
After the test, what will we do?
か
ka
[kah]
question particle
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question. Very common in polite questions to doctors.
次は何をします か。
What will we do next?
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