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How to Say ‘Yes, what can I do for you?’ in Japanese

はい、どうしましたか。

hai dou shi mashi ta ka

[hai doh shee mashi ta kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is what a shop clerk, station worker, or police officer at a 交番 "police box" will typically say when you approach looking lost. It invites you to explain your problem, so you can go straight into your question.

Phrase Breakdown

はい

hai

[hai]

yes

A basic polite response meaning 'yes' or showing agreement.

Example

はい、まっすぐです。

Yes, it's straight ahead.

どう

dou

[doh]

how

Used to ask about method, manner, or what should be done.

Example

どう言えばいいか、簡単に教えてください。

Please tell me simply how I should say it.

し

shi

[shee]

し is the stem of する, meaning to do.

Example

まいにちべんきょうします。

I study every day.

まし

mashi

[mashi]

polite past marker part

Part of the polite past verb ending in ました.

Example

もう来ました。

I already came.

た

[ta]

past tense marker

Converts to past tense.

Example

食べた。

I ate.

か

[kah]

question particle

「か」で依頼を質問の形にします。語尾を上げると自然です。

Example

手順を説明してもらえますか。

Could you explain the procedure?

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