22 Japanese ways to say “What should I do?”

Ever been stuck in a moment wondering, “What should I do now?”

It’s a universal feeling, and in Japanese, there are many ways to express this thought depending on the situation, your mood, or how polite you want to sound.

Whether you’re asking for advice, expressing confusion, or just thinking out loud, Japanese has you covered with warm, relatable phrases.

In this list, we’ll walk you through 22 authentic ways to say “What should I do?” in Japanese, from casual chats to formal moments and native-like expressions.

Learning these will not only boost your language skills but also help you connect more deeply with Japanese culture and people.

Ready to explore? Let’s dive in and find the perfect phrase for every “what now?” moment!

Setting the Scene: Why So Many Ways?

Japanese has layers—from casual to formal, from polite to very casual.

Each way to ask “What should I do?” carries its own nuance and feeling, making your conversations more natural and expressive.

Sometimes, just knowing one polite phrase isn’t enough—you want to match the vibe and relationship.

If you want a great start, using a beginner phrasebook can help you get familiar with these expressions and when to use them.

It’s like having a mini conversation coach in your pocket.

Let’s get into the first batch: casual suggestions you can use with friends or people close to you.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. どうしよう？ (Dō shiyou?) – “What should I do?”

One of the most common, friendly ways to say “What should I do?”

It literally means “How shall I do (it)?” and is perfect when you’re unsure or need advice.

It’s short, sweet, and super easy to remember.

Try it out when you’re chatting with friends or even texting someone.

You might also hear どうしようかな？ (Dō shiyou kana?) which adds a softer, thinking tone.

It’s a great phrase to start building your conversational confidence!

2. どうすればいい？ (Dō sureba ii?) – “What should I do?” (What should I do to make it good?)

This phrase breaks down as どう (how) + すれば (if I do) + いい (good), which literally means “What should I do to make it good?”

It’s a practical question often used when seeking actionable advice.

Easy to use in real-life problem-solving moments.

Remember, the verb する (suru) means “to do,” so you can swap it out to fit different verbs too.

For example, どこに行けばいい？ (Doko ni ikeba ii?) means “Where should I go?”

Using this phrase shows you’re actively looking for a solution, which is great for conversations.

3. どうしたらいい？ (Dō shitara ii?) – “What should I do?” (If I do what, it will be good?)

This one is very similar to the last but uses したら, the past conditional form of する.

It literally means “If I do what, it will be good?” and is often interchangeable with どうすればいい？

Great for situations where you want to sound slightly softer or more thoughtful.

It’s a nice phrase to add variety to your questions.

Both phrases are polite yet casual enough to use with friends or coworkers.

Try swapping する for any other verb to customize your question.

4. どうしようかな？ (Dō shiyou kana?) – “What should I do, I wonder?”

The かな (kana) ending adds a casual, contemplative “I wonder” feeling.

Use this when you’re thinking out loud or unsure but not in a rush for an answer.

It’s perfect for friendly conversations or personal reflection.

It softens the question and gives it a warm, relatable tone.

Try it when chatting with close friends or family.

It’s a gentle way to ask for thoughts without pressure.

5. どうすりゃいい？ (Dō surya ii?) – “What should I do?” (Casual/slang)

This is a very casual, slangy contraction of どうすればいい？

You’ll mostly hear this from younger people or in informal settings.

It literally takes すれば and contracts it to すりゃ for speed and casualness.

Use it only with close friends or peers, not in formal situations.

It’s great for sounding natural in casual conversations.

Just be careful with the context to avoid sounding rude.

6. どうしたら？ (Dō shitara?) – “What should I do?” (Shortened)

This is a shortened, casual version of どうしたらいい？

Dropping いい makes it more abrupt but still clear.

Often used in speech when the rest is implied.

Perfect when talking with friends or in quick chats.

It’s less formal, so avoid using it with strangers or in business.

If you want to sound friendly and casual, this one works well.

7. どうすれば？ (Dō sureba?) – “What should I do?” (Shortened)

Another shortened casual phrase, dropping いい from どうすればいい？

It’s direct but still polite enough for daily conversations.

Great if you want to sound natural but not too formal.

Like number six, it’s good for quick questions among friends.

Try it out when you want to keep things simple and casual.

This phrase also opens the door to using different verbs instead of する.

8. どうすりゃ？ (Dō surya?) – “What should I do?” (Casual, very contracted)

Even shorter, more slangy than どうすりゃいい？

Use with close friends when you want to sound laid-back and chill.

It’s the ultimate casual way to ask this question.

Perfect for texting or casual voice chats.

Be careful—this can sound too casual or rude if used incorrectly.

Great for native-like fluency in informal settings!

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. どうしたらよろしいでしょうか？ (Dō shitara yoroshii deshō ka?) – “What should I do?” (Very polite)

This is a very polite, formal way to ask “What should I do?”

It uses よろしい (yoroshii), a respectful way to say “good” or “okay,” plus でしょうか to soften the question.

Perfect in business meetings or when speaking with someone senior.

It shows respect and humility.

If you want to impress with your politeness, this phrase is gold.

Use it when you need to be extra courteous or professional.

10. どうすればよろしいでしょうか？ (Dō sureba yoroshii deshō ka?) – “What should I do?” (Formal, polite)

Similar to the previous phrase but uses the verb する in its conditional form.

It’s just as polite and formal but slightly more versatile.

Great for emails, formal conversations, or customer service.

It’s always safe to sound polite in professional settings.

Pair this phrase with a respectful tone for best results.

It’s a handy phrase for Japanese learners aiming for business fluency.

11. どうしたらいいでしょうか？ (Dō shitara ii deshō ka?) – “What should I do?” (Polite)

A polite but a bit less formal version using いいでしょうか？

Common in polite conversations or when talking to someone you don’t know well.

It’s respectful without being too stiff.

Works well in customer interactions or casual business chats.

Good middle ground between casual and very formal.

Try to use this phrase to show good manners without overdoing it.

12. どうしたらよろしいですか？ (Dō shitara yoroshii desu ka?) – “What should I do?” (Polite question)

This phrase is polite and commonly used when seeking instructions or advice.

Using よろしいですか？ makes it sound very respectful but straightforward.

Useful in schools, seminars, or polite everyday conversations.

It’s easy to remember and super versatile.

Helps you ask for guidance clearly and politely.

Practice this one to sound respectful and sincere.

13. どうすればよろしいですか？ (Dō sureba yoroshii desu ka?) – “What should I do?” (Very polite)

A formal, polite question great for business or formal settings.

It uses the conditional すれば with よろしいですか？ for respect.

Shows you are thoughtful and considerate.

Great for emailing or talking to clients.

Keep this phrase handy for professional environments.

It’s a step up in politeness from casual forms.

14. どうしたらよろしいでしょう？ (Dō shitara yoroshii deshō?) – “What should I do?” (Polite, slightly softer)

This is a polite, slightly softer version ending with でしょう instead of でしょうか.

Sounds thoughtful and respectful.

Good for conversations where you want to sound polite but relaxed.

Try this in customer service or polite casual chats.

It’s a subtle way to soften the question.

Nice for showing humility and care.

15. どうすればよろしいでしょう？ (Dō sureba yoroshii deshō?) – “What should I do?” (Polite, thoughtful)

Similar to number 14 but using すれば instead of したら.

It’s polite, thoughtful, and perfect for formal questions.

Shows you’re seriously considering the best course of action.

Perfect for polite requests or professional settings.

Use this to sound respectful and engaged.

It’s a polished way to ask for advice.

16. どうしたらいいのか分かりません (Dō shitara ii no ka wakarimasen) – “I don’t know what I should do.”

This phrase adds “I don’t know” to express uncertainty clearly.

It’s polite and honest, great for asking for help.

Good for situations where you want to admit confusion respectfully.

Helps open up a conversation for advice or guidance.

Try this to get support when you’re stuck.

It’s a great phrase to show humility and ask sincerely.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. どうすんの？ (Dō sun no?) – “What are you going to do?” / “What should I do?” (Casual)

This is a very casual, contracted form meaning “What will you do?” or “What should I do?”

It’s great for informal chats with friends.

It drops the formal endings for a relaxed vibe.

Use it only with people you’re close to.

It’s a natural phrase you’ll hear often in everyday conversations.

Perfect for sounding like a native speaker in casual settings.

18. どうすんだよ？ (Dō sun da yo?) – “What the heck should I do?” (Casual, emphatic)

This adds だよ for emphasis, sounding a bit frustrated or emphatic.

Use it when you’re really unsure or stressed out.

Only for very casual, friendly situations.

It’s an expressive way to show you need a solution.

Be mindful of tone; it can sound rough if misused.

Great for venting among close friends.

19. どうすりゃいいんだ？ (Dō surya ii n da?) – “What should I do?” (Casual, questioning)

This is a casual, somewhat rough way to ask “What should I do?”

It emphasizes the question with んだ at the end.

Common among younger people or close friends.

Not suitable for formal or polite situations.

Use it to sound very natural in casual talk.

It’s a phrase full of character and emotion.

20. どうすればいいんだよ？ (Dō sureba ii n da yo?) – “What should I do?” (Casual, emotional)

This is similar to number 19 but uses すれば instead of すりゃ.

The んだよ ending makes it sound emotional or insistent.

Perfect for expressing real concern or urgency.

Use with close friends or peers.

It’s a way to show you genuinely need advice.

Try to match your tone to avoid sounding too harsh.

21. どうしたらいいの？ (Dō shitara ii no?) – “What should I do?” (Casual, soft)

This is a soft, casual way to ask “What should I do?”

The の ending adds softness and a bit of curiosity.

Great for everyday conversations.

It’s polite enough for friends and acquaintances.

Use it when you want to sound gentle and approachable.

It’s a very natural expression to learn.

22. どうしようもない (Dō shiyō mo nai) – “There’s nothing I can do.” (Expression of helplessness)

This phrase means “There’s nothing I can do” but is often used when feeling stuck or helpless.

It’s an emotional expression rather than a direct question.

Use it to convey frustration or resignation.

It’s useful for expressing feelings when advice just isn’t enough.

It adds depth to your language skills by showing emotional nuance.

Try this phrase carefully as it implies giving up, so use appropriately.

Concluding Thought

Exploring these 22 ways to say “What should I do?” in Japanese reveals the rich variety and nuance in everyday language.

From casual friends-only phrases to formal business expressions, there’s a perfect way to ask for advice or express uncertainty in every situation.

Keep practicing, listen closely to native speakers, and soon you’ll naturally pick the right phrase for every moment—making your Japanese feel warm, natural, and truly yours.