どうしたの？
dōshita no?
The English phrase "what's up?" can be translated into Japanese as どうしたの？ (dōshita no?)
どうしたの？ is a question used to ask someone what has happened or to ask what is wrong, such as when someone looks upset or is behaving unusually. It serves both to inquire about a current situation and to express concern.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb どう (how/what) and the past tense of the verb する (to do), which translates to "what happened" or "what did (you) do".
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse どうしたの？ (what happened/what's wrong) with 何してるの？ (what are you doing right now).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are speaking to a stranger, a superior or in a formal setting, use the polite form どうしましたか？ instead. For a very polite and formal way to express "How are you?" or "How are things?", you can use ご機嫌いかがですか？
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle の at the end of どうしたの？ adds a soft, inquisitive tone, which is often used when seeking an explanation or expressing concern.
How do you pronounce it?
dōshita no?
Did you know?
- While どうしたの？ asks what is wrong, Japanese does not have a direct equivalent for the casual English greeting 'what's up?' used to say hello. Using どうしたの？ as a greeting would make the other person think they look distressed.
- A response of 別に (betsuni) to this question doesn't just mean 'nothing' but often signals that the speaker does not want to talk about it.
- The phrase uses the adverb どう (how) instead of the word for 'what', making the literal meaning closer to 'how did it go?'
Examples in context
- お疲れさま！最近どう？What's up? How have you been?
- どうしたの？顔色が悪いよ。Dōshita no? Kaoiro ga warui yo.What's up? You look pale.
- 急にどうしたの？Kyū ni dōshita no?What's up all of a sudden?
- 泣いているけど、どうしたの？Naite iru kedo, dōshita no?You're crying, what's up?
Example conversation
Misaki sees Ren sitting alone looking upset in a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くん、どうしたの？Ren-kun, dōshita no?Ren, what's up?
- 蓮 Renちょっと仕事でミスをしちゃって。Chotto shigoto de misu o shichatte.I just made a mistake at work.
- 美咲 Misakiそんなに落ち込まないで。Sonna ni ochikomanaide.Don't be so depressed.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、美咲さん。Arigatō, Misaki-san.Thanks, Misaki.
