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How to Say ‘What did you do?’ in Japanese

何をしましたか？

nani o shi mashi ta ka

[na-ni wo shee mah-shee tah ka]

💬 Usage Tip: を is said (o), not (wo). 何 is read (nani) here, but shortens to (nan) before some sounds, as in 何ですか (nan desu ka).

Phrase Breakdown

何を

nani o

What (as the object)

何 is read 'nani' here. The object particle を is pronounced 'o'.

Example

何を食べますか？

What will you eat?

Words in this phrase

何

nani

[na-ni]

what

Used to ask for information about something.

Example

何が欲しい？

What do you want?

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

しましたか？

shi mashi ta ka

Did (you) do?

This is the polite past of する (to do), plus the question marker か. Use a rising tone at the end.

Example

宿題をしましたか？

Did you do your homework?

Words in this phrase

し

shi

[shee]

し is the stem of する, meaning to do.

Example

予約しします。

I do the reservation.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past stem

Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.

Example

昨日は多くのことを学びました。

I learned many things yesterday.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

か

[ka]

question particle

Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.

Example

行くか？

Shall we go?

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