How to Say ‘How can I help you?’ in Japanese
どうされましたか。
dou sa re mashi ta ka
[dou sah reh mah-shee tah ka]
💬 Usage Tip: Literally "what has happened?", using the polite される in place of する. Staff use it to invite you to explain why you're calling.
Phrase Breakdown
どう
dou
[dou]
how
Interrogative pro-adverb used to ask about manner or state.
どうしたらいいですか？
What should I do?
さ
sa
[sah]
do (stem of suru)
Stem form of the verb suru 'to do', used before the honorific/passive ending reru.
先生はもう帰宅されました。
The teacher has already gone home.
れ
re
[reh]
(honorific marker)
Here the passive form is used to show respect to the listener's action.
先生はもう帰られました。
The teacher has already gone home.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite past stem
Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.
昨日は多くのことを学びました。
I learned many things yesterday.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense ending
This ending completes the polite past tense form.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.
行くか？
Shall we go?
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