どうしようかな
dō shiyō ka na
The English phrase "should I?" is translated into Japanese as どうしようかな (dō shiyō ka na).
どうしようかな is used when a person is indecisive and is weighing their options out loud or in their head. Other ways to express uncertainty or seek opinions include using a verb's dictionary form followed by の for casual situations, or adding かな to a verb's masu-form to express curiosity or uncertainty about an action. To ask for permission or suggestions informally, you can use the te-form of a verb followed by もいい？ For a formal way to ask for advice or opinions, use the dictionary form of a verb followed by のはどうでしょうか.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dō meaning "how", shiyō (the volitional form of suru, meaning "to do/shall do") and the particles ka na which express uncertainty or wondering. Literally, it means "what shall I do, I wonder".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
どうしようかな is a phrase used for internal monologues or talking to oneself. If you wish to ask for advice from others politely, use the polite version どうしましょうか.
How does it change in a sentence?
The combination of the volitional form shiyō and the particle na creates a sense of an internal monologue or talking to oneself.
How do you pronounce it?
dō shiyō ka na
Did you know?
- While English speakers often use 'should I?' to ask for advice, saying どうしようかな to a friend might actually make them feel you are ignoring them by talking only to yourself.
- In Japanese, the particle かな functions like a soft verbal shrug, softening the statement so it sounds like a gentle wonder rather than a firm question.
- The verb する inside this phrase is one of the most flexible words in Japanese, capable of turning almost any noun into a verb, which is why どうしようかな can apply to nearly any situation.
Examples in context
- 日本語の勉強をすべきですか。Should I study Japanese?
- 彼に謝るべきですか、それとも許す方がよろしいでしょうか。Should I apologize to him, or is it better to forgive?
- 彼に電話をするかな。Should I call him, I wonder?
- どうしようかな、雨が降ってきた。Doushiyou kana, ame ga futte kita.What should I do, it started raining.
- これを買おうか、どうしようかな。Kore o kaou ka, doushiyou kana.Should I buy this, I wonder what I should do.
Example conversation
Ren is looking at a menu in a cafe while Yui waits.
- 蓮 Renメニュー、どうしようかな。Menyuu, doushiyou kana.What should I do about the menu?
- 結衣 Yui蓮、決まった？Ren, kimatta?Ren, have you decided?
- 蓮 Renまだ迷っているんだ。Mada mayotte irunda.I'm still hesitating.
- 結衣 Yuiゆっくり選べばいいよ。Yukkuri erabeba ii yo.You can take your time choosing.
