How to Say ‘What's up?’ in Japanese
どうしましたか。
dou shi mashi ta ka
[doh shee mah-shee Ta ka]
💬 Usage Tip: Literally "what did you do?" but it really asks "what's wrong?". It's the natural opener when someone looks troubled or comes to you with a problem.
Phrase Breakdown
どう
dou
[doh]
how; what
Used to ask what should be done.
どうすればいいですか。
What should I do?
し
shi
[shee]
do
し is the stem of する, meaning to do.
予約しします。
I do the reservation.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite past marker part
まし is part of the polite past ending in ました.
予約をましました。
I made the reservation.
た
ta
[Ta]
past tense marker
Indicates an action completed in the past.
家を出た。
Left the house.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Added at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.
お茶を飲みますか？
Do you drink tea?
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