How to Say ‘Is something wrong?’ in Japanese
どうしましたか。
dou shi mashi ta ka
[doh shee mah-shee tah ka]
💬 Usage Tip: Literally "How did it do?", this is the stock way to ask what's wrong. You'll hear it from shop staff, doctors and anyone who notices you seem to need something.
Phrase Breakdown
どう
dou
[doh]
how
Used to ask for an opinion or suggestion, like 'how about...?'
7時はどうですか？
How about 7 o’clock?
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 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).
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.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
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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