どうしたの
dōshita no
The English phrase "wsp" can be translated into Japanese as どうしたの (dōshita no).
どうしたの is an informal way to say "what's up" or to ask "what's the matter".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dōshita, which is the past tense of the verb "to do" and the particle no, which adds a soft, questioning tone to the expression.
Which one should you use?
どうしたの is the casual form of the expression, whereas どうしましたか is the polite version used when speaking to strangers or superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
どうしたの is informal and is typically used with friends, family or people of lower social status.
How do you pronounce it?
dōshita no
Did you know?
- Japanese lacks a direct one-to-one equivalent for the English 'what's up' that functions purely as a greeting without implying a cause. Most Japanese greetings instead focus on the time of day or the person's recent actions.
- The phrase どうしたの can be used by a person to check if a machine or an object is malfunctioning. In this case, the phrase is directed at the inanimate object's state rather than a person's feelings.
- If you use the polite version どうしましたか to a friend, you might accidentally create an 'ice wall' between you. Using overly polite forms in a casual friendship can signal that you are actually angry or being distant.
Examples in context
- 急にどうしたの？Kyuu ni doushita no?What's up all of a sudden?
- あ、どうしたの？何かあった？A, doushita no? Nani ka atta?Oh, what's up? Did something happen?
Example conversation
Misaki finds Kenta looking confused in the hallway.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、どうしたの？Kenta, doushita no?Kenta, what's up?
- 健太 Kentaあ、美咲。鍵が見つからないんだ。A, Misaki. Kagi ga mitsukaranai n da.Oh, Misaki. I can't find my keys.
- 美咲 Misaki一緒にお部屋を探そうか？Issho ni oheya o sagasou ka?Shall we look in the room together?
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、助かるよ。Arigatou, tasukaru yo.Thanks, that helps a lot.
