What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of dō (how) and the volitional form of suru (to do), which literally translates to "how shall I do?"
Which one should you use?
While どうしよう？ is used to express personal confusion or to seek advice among peers, other forms change based on the level of respect required. どうしたらいい？ and どうすればよいでしょうか？ are used to actively seek advice or suggestions, whereas どうしよう？ often focuses on the feeling of being stuck.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
どうしよう？ is an informal expression appropriate for seeking advice or expressing confusion among close friends, family or peers. For a more polite tone suitable for speaking to strangers or superiors, you can use どうしましょう？ If you want to ask for advice in a polite and common way, use どうしたらいいですか？ For highly formal situations where you seek suggestions or directions with great respect, use どうすればよいでしょうか？
How do you pronounce it?
dō shiyō?
Did you know?
- The word どう in どうしよう is a contraction of いかように, an archaic way of asking 'in what manner' that was used in classical Japanese.
- Depending on the intonation, どうしよう can shift from a genuine plea for help to a flirtatious expression of being overwhelmed by someone's charm.
- In many anime series, characters will repeat どうしよう、どうしよう rapidly as a way to signal to the audience that a comedic moment of panic is occurring.
Examples in context
- すみません、どうしたらいいですか？Excuse me, what should I do?
- どうしたらいい？What should I do?
- どうしよう？傘を忘れた。Doushiyou? Kasa o wasureta.What should I do? I forgot my umbrella.
- 大切な書類を失くした。どうしよう？Taisetsu na shorui o nakushita. Doushiyou?I lost important documents. What should I do?
- 宿題が終わらない、どうしよう？Shukudai ga owaranai, doushiyou?I won't finish my homework, what should I do?
Example conversation
Yui is worried because she cannot find her house keys.
- 結衣 Yui鍵がない！どうしよう？Kagi ga nai! Doushiyou?I don't have my keys! What should I do?
- 蓮 Ren落ち着いて、結衣。カバンの中にある？Ochi-tsuite, Yui. Kaban no naka ni aru?Calm down, Yui. Are they in your bag?
- 結衣 Yuiないよ。どうしよう？Nai yo. Doushiyou?They aren't. What should I do?
- 蓮 Ren僕と一緒に家に戻ろう。Boku to issho ni ie ni modorou.Let's go back home together.
