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How to Say ‘Did (polite past form of する)’ in Japanese

しました

shi mashi ta

[shee mah-shee tah]

💬 Usage Tip: The (i) in (shimashita) is often barely voiced, so it sounds closer to (shimash'ta).

Phrase Breakdown

し

shi

[shee]

do

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 marker (part of ました)

「まし」 is part of 「ました」, the polite past tense. It makes the question polite (common in medical settings).

Example

さっきはきましたか。

Did you vomit a moment ago?

た

ta

[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.

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