How to Say ‘What brings you in today?’ in Japanese
今日はどうしましたか。
kyou wa dou shi mashi ta ka
[kyoh wah dou shee mah-shee tah ka]
💬 Usage Tip: 今日 is read (kyō), and the は after it is said (wa), not (ha). Literally this asks "what happened?", which is how Japanese doctors open the conversation.
Phrase Breakdown
今日は
kyou wa
today
今日 (kyou) means 'today'. The topic particle は is pronounced 'wa', not 'ha'. Stretch the 'kyo' sound: kyoo.
今日は暑いです。
It is hot today.
Words in this phrase
今日
kyou
[kyoh]
today
The current day.
今日のコンサートは満席です。
Today's concert is full.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker; as for
Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me your time today.
どうしましたか。
dou shi mashi ta ka
what happened? / what's wrong?
A polite question that doctors often use. In 'shimashita' the 'i' after 'sh' is nearly silent: 'shimash'ta ka'.
どうしましたか。大丈夫ですか。
What's wrong? Are you okay?
Words in this phrase
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?
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
[tah]
past tense marker
Indicates past tense.
彼は来た。
He came.
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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