今日はどうだった？
kyō wa dō datta?
The English phrase "how was your day?" translates to Japanese as 今日はどうだった？ (kyō wa dō datta?)
This phrase is used to ask someone about the events and experiences of their day. The component どうだった means "how was it?" and can be used in various conversational contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 今日はどうだった？ is informal and is used with friends or family. For a polite version used with superiors or strangers, use 今日はどうでしたか？
How do you pronounce it?
kyō wa dō datta?
Did you know?
- Instead of asking 今日はどうだった？, Japanese people often use お疲れ様 'you are tired', which acknowledges the hard work of the day as a way of showing care.
- While English speakers often ask this upon arriving home, Japanese speakers are more likely to use おかえり 'welcome back' first, as the focus is on the safe return rather than the day's events.
- If you are speaking to someone in the Osaka area, you might hear them say 今日はどうやった？ (kyō wa dō yatta?) instead of the standard 今日はどうだった？ (kyō wa dō datta?). This is a hallmark of the Kansai dialect.
Examples in context
- 今日はどうだった？Kyō wa dō datta?How was your day?
Example conversation
A couple greeting each other at home after work.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、おかえり。今日はどうだった？Himari, okaeri. Kyou wa dou datta?Welcome home, Himari. How was your day?
- 陽葵 Himariただいま。今日はとても忙しかったよ。Tadaima. Kyou wa totemo isogashikatta yo.I'm home. I was very busy today.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれは大変だったね。Sore wa taihen datta ne.That sounds like it was tough.
- 陽葵 Himariうん。でも、今はゆっくりしたいな。Un. Demo, ima wa yukkuri shitai na.Yeah. But now I just want to relax.
