🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "What's up?" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
どうしたの?
"What's up?" in Japanese · say it like doh-shi-tah-no

The most natural way to say "What's up?" in Japanese is どうしたの?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

元気?
A casual way to ask if someone is doing well.
何かあった?
Used when you suspect something is wrong.

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to check in on someone. It can be used among friends or in casual settings. It shows concern or curiosity about someone's situation.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What's up?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
最近元気?How have you been lately?
Common mistake
Learners often use overly formal language, which can sound stiff in casual conversations.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear どうしたの?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is this phrase only for friends?

No, it can be used in casual settings with acquaintances as well.

Learn Japanese by speaking it

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