Formal — to staff
Care · Medical · Setting
You
先生、本人の代わりに少しお話を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか。
せんせい、ほんにんのかわりにすこしおはなしをうかがってもよろしいでしょうか。
Doctor, may I ask a few things on behalf of the resident?
Romaji: Sensei, honnin no kawari ni sukoshi ohanashi o ukagatte mo yoroshii deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Hai, douzo. Gokazoku no kata desu ka?
Reply
はい、どうぞ。ご家族の方ですか？
はい、どうぞ。ごかぞくのかたですか？
Yes, please go ahead. Are you a family member?
Gesture & etiquette
Stand slightly behind or beside the senior, never in front. Lower your voice to the doctor but keep your body language inclusive so the senior can still see and follow the conversation.
Always speak to the doctor with — not about — the senior physically present. Asking permission ('on behalf of') signals to both parties that the senior remains the subject of their own care, not an object to be discussed.