How do you say "Did (polite past)" in Japanese?

"Did (polite past)" in Japanese is "をしました". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

What does "をしました" mean in English?

"をしました" means "Did (polite past)" in English. Usage tip: [を] marks the object, and [しました] is polite past of [する]. Pattern: [〜をしました] “I did ~.”

✅🙇

How to Say ‘Did (polite past)’ in Japanese

をしました

o shi mashi ta

[oh shee mah-shee tah]

💬 Usage Tip: [を] marks the object, and [しました] is polite past of [する]. Pattern: [〜をしました] “I did ~.”

🇯🇵 In Japan: When answering interview questions, this structure helps you sound clear and professional: “I did X, Y, and Z” without long explanations.

Phrase Breakdown

を

[oh]

(object marker)

を marks the direct object of the verb. It shows what action you did (e.g., 入浴介助をしました).

Example

入浴介助をしました。

I provided bathing assistance.

し

shi

[shee]

do (polite past stem)

し comes from する (to do). Used to describe what duties you performed in a polite way.

Example

食事の手伝いをし、記録も書きました。

I helped with meals and also wrote records.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite marker (part of ～ました)

まし is part of the polite past ending, making the statement appropriate for interviews.

Example

介助をしました。

I provided assistance.

た

[tah]

past tense marker (part of ～ました)

た completes the polite past form ～ました, indicating you did the action in the past.

Example

入浴介助をしました。

I provided bathing assistance.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”

Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager