Significado
Used to ask someone about their situation, a problem, or why they look troubled.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the cultural value of 'Omoiyari' (anticipatory empathy). It is common to ask this even if the person hasn't asked for help, as a way of 'reading the air'. Doctors almost always start with 'Dou shimashita ka?'. It is considered more welcoming than 'Where does it hurt?', allowing the patient to tell their story. In high-end shops, staff are trained to look for 'signs of trouble' (looking at a watch, looking around) to trigger this phrase. While polite, a subordinate might hesitate to ask a high-ranking boss 'Dou shimashita ka?' unless the boss is visibly in distress, to avoid being intrusive.
The 'Concern' Tone
Intonation is key. Use a soft, slightly lower pitch to sound genuinely concerned rather than just curious.
Not for 'How are you?'
Never use this as a standard greeting. It implies the person looks like they are in trouble!
Significado
Used to ask someone about their situation, a problem, or why they look troubled.
The 'Concern' Tone
Intonation is key. Use a soft, slightly lower pitch to sound genuinely concerned rather than just curious.
Not for 'How are you?'
Never use this as a standard greeting. It implies the person looks like they are in trouble!
Add 'Daijobu'
Pairing it with '大丈夫ですか？' (Are you okay?) makes you sound much more natural and caring.
Wait for the answer
In Japan, people might hesitate to share their problem immediately. Give them a moment after asking.
Teste-se
You see a colleague crying at their desk. What is the most appropriate thing to say?
同僚がデスクで泣いています。何と言いますか？
'どうしましたか？' is the standard polite way to ask 'What's the matter?' when someone is upset.
Complete the doctor's question.
医者：「今日は（ ）か？」 患者：「頭が痛いんです。」
The past tense 'shimashita' is required to ask about the patient's current symptoms/problem.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
1. どうしたの？ 2. いかがいたしましたか？
'Dou shita no?' is casual/gentle, 'Ikaga itashimashita ka?' is very formal/honorific.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: あれ？カギがない！ B: （ ）？ A: カギを失くしてしまいました。
A is expressing a problem (lost keys), so B should ask 'What's the matter?'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Past vs. Present
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios同僚がデスクで泣いています。何と言いますか？
'どうしましたか？' is the standard polite way to ask 'What's the matter?' when someone is upset.
医者：「今日は（ ）か？」 患者：「頭が痛いんです。」
The past tense 'shimashita' is required to ask about the patient's current symptoms/problem.
1. どうしたの？ 2. いかがいたしましたか？
'Dou shita no?' is casual/gentle, 'Ikaga itashimashita ka?' is very formal/honorific.
A: あれ？カギがない！ B: （ ）？ A: カギを失くしてしまいました。
A is expressing a problem (lost keys), so B should ask 'What's the matter?'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasYes, 'どうしましたか？' is polite enough for a boss, though 'どうされましたか？' is even better.
'Dou shita no?' is casual (friends/family), while 'Dou shimashita ka?' is formal (strangers/work).
Yes, if they look like they need help (e.g., they fell or look lost).
99% of the time, yes. It implies a deviation from the normal/good state.
Usually with '[Problem] + んです' (e.g., お腹が痛いんです - My stomach hurts).
Yes! If your computer breaks, you can ask 'パソコン、どうしたんだろう？' (I wonder what happened to the PC).
It can be blunt. Use it only with very close male friends or younger people.
Use 'どうしますか？' (present tense).
Because the event that caused the current problem has already happened.
No, that means 'What did you do?' (like asking about a hobby or a crime).
Yes, 'どうしたん？' (Dō shitan?) is very common in Osaka/Kyoto.
'いかがいたしましたか？' is the peak of formality.
Frases relacionadas
大丈夫ですか？
similarAre you okay?
どうしたの？
specialized formWhat's up? (Casual)
何があったんですか？
similarWhat happened?
いかがいたしましたか？
specialized formHow can I help you? (Very formal)
どうしますか？
contrastWhat will you do?
どうしたんだろう
builds onI wonder what happened.
