Casual — to friend
Cultural · Seasonal
今日はひな祭りですね。お嬢さんはいらっしゃいますか？ — Today is Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival). Do you have a daughter? (Cultural · Seasonal, Casual — to friend, JLPT N4)
You
今日はひな祭りですね。お嬢さんはいらっしゃいますか？
きょうはひなまつりですね。おじょうさんはいらっしゃいますか？
Today is Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival). Do you have a daughter?
Romaji: Kyo wa Hinamatsuri desu ne. O-josan wa irasshaimasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, kotoshi hajimete kazarimashita!
Reply
はい、今年初めて飾りました！
はい、ことしはじめてかざりました！
Yes, we displayed the dolls for the first time this year!
Gesture & etiquette
A warm, celebratory tone. If the family has daughters, this is a moment of shared joy. Natural follow-ups include asking about the doll display tier count or seasonal foods they enjoy. Avoid the topic of superstitions about late doll removal unless the conversation naturally goes there.
Hinamatsuri (March 3) is a traditional celebration for girls, featuring elaborate tiered displays of imperial court dolls (hina ningyo). Families display the dolls and eat seasonal foods like chirashi sushi and hishi mochi. The dolls must be put away promptly after the festival — leaving them out is considered bad luck for the daughter's marriage prospects.