今日はどうだった？
The English phrase "how was your day going?" can be translated into Japanese as 今日はどうだった？
The phrase 今日はどうだった？ is typically used when greeting someone who has just returned home or finished their work or school day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains the word 今日 (kyō), which means "today".
Which one should you use?
While 今日はどうだった？ asks about a day that is already completed or mostly finished, the shorter form 今日はどう？ is used to ask how a day is progressing or how a plan is.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 今日はどうだった？ is informal and should be used with friends, family or peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite version of the phrase, 今日はどうでしたか？, uses でしたか instead of だった to make it suitable for superiors or strangers.
Did you know?
- In Japan, instead of asking 'how was your day', it is much more common to use the phrase お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) to acknowledge that someone has worked hard.
- In Japanese, using the informal だった with a superior is not just seen as 'too casual' but can be interpreted as an intentional act of aggression or a sign of extreme intimacy.
- Depending on the intonation, どう？ can be used not just to ask about a day, but to offer someone a taste of food or ask for their opinion on a new outfit.
Examples in context
- 今日はどうだった？Kyō wa dō datta?How was your day?
- 仕事、今日はどうだった？Shigoto, kyō wa dō datta?How was work today?
- 学校は、今日はどうだった？Gakkō wa, kyō wa dō datta?How was school today?
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are relaxing at home in the evening.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太、今日はどうだった？Yōta, kyō wa dō datta?Yota, how was your day?
- 陽太 Yotaすごく忙しかったよ。Sugoku isogashikatta yo.It was very busy.
- 美咲 Misaki大変だったね。Taihen datta ne.That sounds tough.
- 陽太 Yotaでも、終わってよかった。Demo, owatte yokatta.But I'm glad it's over.
