✅❓😕

How to Say ‘Yes, what seems to be the matter?’ in Japanese

はい、どうされましたか。

hai dou sa re mashi ta ka

[hai dou sah reh mah-shee tah kah]

Phrase Breakdown

はい

hai

[hai]

yes

A basic affirmative response meaning yes.

Example

はい、来週の土曜日です。

Yes, it's next Saturday.

どう

dou

[dou]

how

Interrogative pro-adverb used to ask about manner or state.

Example

どうしたらいいですか？

What should I do?

さ

[sah]

do (stem of suru)

Stem form of the verb suru 'to do', used before the honorific/passive ending reru.

Example

先生はもう帰宅されました。

The teacher has already gone home.

れ

[reh]

(honorific marker)

Here the passive form is used to show respect to the listener's actions.

Example

先生が来られました。

The teacher came.

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

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager