How do you say "What's wrong?" in Japanese?

"What's wrong?" in Japanese is "どうしたの？". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘What's wrong?’ in Japanese

Q: What does "どうしたの？" mean in English?

"どうしたの？" means "What's wrong?" in English. Usage tip: A very natural way to ask “What’s wrong?” or “What happened?” It can be caring, but tone is everything—gentle voice = kind concern.

どうしたの？

dou shi ta n

[doh shee tah noh]

💬 Usage Tip: A very natural way to ask “What’s wrong?” or “What happened?” It can be caring, but tone is everything—gentle voice = kind concern.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Used a lot when someone seems quiet or sad. In Japan, people may wait for subtle signs before asking this directly.

Phrase Breakdown

どう

dou

[doh]

how; what

Starts a question asking what happened or what's wrong.

Example

どうしたの？と声をかけました。

I asked, 'What happened?'

したの？

shi ta n

did (something happen)?

The question ending の makes it sound caring or concerned. Together, どうしたの？ means “What’s wrong?” or “What happened?”

Example

顔色が悪いよ。どうしたの？

You look pale. What’s wrong?

Words in this phrase

し

shi

[shee]

did

From する; part of the expression meaning 'what happened?'

Example

何をしたの？ではなく、どうしたの？と聞きます。

Instead of asking 'What did you do?', you ask 'What happened?'

た

[tah]

past marker

Shows that something happened; part of した.

Example

急にどうしたの？

What happened all of a sudden?

の

[noh]

explanatory particle

Makes the question sound natural and caring in casual speech.

Example

元気がないね、どうしたの？

You seem down—what happened?

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