How to Say ‘Why is that?’ in Japanese
どうしてですか。
dou shi te desu ka
[DOH shee teh dess ka]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Asking why can feel a bit pointed; a softer option in meetings is どうしてですか said gently, or というと？ "meaning?".
Phrase Breakdown
どう
dou
[DOH]
why (part of どうして)
First part of どうして, 'why'.
どうして来ませんでしたか。
Why didn't you come?
し
shi
[shee]
(part of どうして)
Middle part of どうして 'why'; originally the stem of する.
どうして遅れましたか。
Why were you late?
て
te
[teh]
(part of どうして)
Final part of どうして 'why'.
どうして高いですか。
Why is it expensive?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
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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