どうしたの？
dōshita no?
In Japanese, "what's up?" can be translated as どうしたの？ (dōshita no?), used when asking someone what is wrong or what has happened.
The phrase どうしたの？ is used when you notice someone looks upset, sick or is acting unusually. It is important to note that unlike the English "what's up?", which can function as a casual greeting similar to "how are you?", どうしたの？ specifically implies that something is wrong or that a person's state has changed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb dō (how) and the past tense of the verb suru (to do).
Which one should you use?
While どうしたの？ is a standard way to express concern, you can use どうした？ for a very blunt and casual version, often used by men or between close friends. If you want to be more polite and formal, use どうしたんですか？
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase どうしたの？, the particle no at the end functions as a softening particle that adds a tone of inquiry or concern in casual speech. Adding n desu ka to the end of the phrase makes the question more polite and formal than the default どうしたの？
How do you pronounce it?
dōshita no?
Did you know?
- While 'what's up?' in English can be a meaningless greeting, using どうしたの？ as a greeting in Japan would likely cause panic, as it suggests you see a problem with the person's health or mood.
- The word どう in どうしたの？ is related to the word どうぞ, which is used when offering something to someone, though the two phrases now serve completely different social purposes.
- If someone is visibly crying or injured, a Japanese speaker might avoid どうしたの？ and instead use 大丈夫？, which means 'are you okay?', as the former can sometimes sound too demanding of a detailed explanation.
Examples in context
- 顔色が悪いけど、どうしたの？kaoiro ga warui kedo, doushita no?You look pale, what's up?
- 泣いているけれど、どうしたの？naite iru keredo, doushita no?You are crying, what's up?
- 急に黙って、どうしたの？kyuu ni damatte, doushita no?You suddenly went quiet, what's up?
Example conversation
Misaki sees Kenta sitting alone looking depressed at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君、どうしたの？Kenta-kun, doushita no?Kenta, what's up?
- 健太 Kentaちょっと仕事で失敗して。chotto shigoto de shippai shite.I just messed up a bit at work.
- 美咲 Misakiそんなに落ち込まないで。sonna ni ochikomanaide.Don't be so depressed.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、美咲さん。arigatou, Misaki-san.Thanks, Misaki.
